i never craved attention, until i tasted yours

“Cal’s driving me fucking mental. I can’t tell if he likes me. I mean, I think he does? Our dates always turn into sleepovers. I’m being weird, right? Tell me I’m being weird. Maybe I’m not good enough in bed…ha, no that can’t be it…” Was just a snippet of the obsessing Fi had forced Callie to be privy to ever since she and Callum Sinclair started…whatever it was they were doing. And not for the first time, her best friend gently reminded her the two had only been dating a few weeks and it was far too early to dissect and define what they were doing. Callie had also pointed out with a bit of gleeful amusement she’d never seen Fioretta so “twitterpated” over a man before, an observation which caused Fi to bury her face in her glass of red wine while muttering to herself in Italian as she quickly changed the subject. That was Monday night after she learned Cal was once again out of town. While she didn’t love not being in the loop about things, she felt relief when he told her. His communication throughout the day had been sporadic at best, so at least he wasn't ignoring her, but any happiness she felt was cut short when he mentioned field notes and dinner with a colleague. All Fi heard was I’m working and you’re bothering me so she abruptly ended the conversation and went over to Callie’s with a bottle of red wine and plenty to say. She and Cal’s parchment exchanges Tuesday were sparse and by the time Fi left work around six pm Wednesday evening, she hadn’t heard from him all day. She was confused and more than a bit deflated, especially when she walked by the brunch spot where she saw him with an attractive brunette the weekend before. He’d been smiling and the two looked comfortable, familiar in a way which made her jealous. Fi had been so excited to see him that evening she decided not to bring it up. But now her feelings were on the cusp of overwhelming her and she hated it. She liked him too much and it turned out she wasn't the only one woman who did. What if she was just one of many he had waiting in the wings? Cal remained on her mind as she stopped at a pub down by her flat and sat down at a table in the corner where she immediately dumped one of her sketchbooks out. She needed to keep her hands busy, lest they get the bright idea to message a man who clearly wasn’t interested in her, at least not the way she hoped. Not beyond a fun night in bed here and there. Her cider was delivered and as she looked up to thank the server, Cal walked through the front door of the pub. “Of course,” Fi muttered in frustration. The one time she didn't want to see him (but tell it to her pulse which had kicked up the instant she laid eyes on him) he appeared. Her gaze dropped immediately as she picked up her pencil again and began to draw the beginnings of a wedding cake design.

While Cal didn’t talk about his love life (or usually lack there of) with pretty much anyone, he hadn’t been able to avoid it when out to brunch with Ophelia the week before. His sister-in-law knew how to pepper him with questions until finally getting enough information, and this was no exception. By the end of it, she’d flashed him a knowing grin, looking rather pleased as she told him it sounded like Fi was a nice bird who fancied him. “She is a nice bird. Which is why I think it won’t last,” Cal added hastily. He hadn’t wanted to admit just how much he liked Fi. Because what was the point? There was no way someone like her would be content with a bloke like him. Always out of town and, when he wasn’t, always stuck with his nose in a book or a curse to break. Any man would fall head over heels for Fi. But he couldn’t say the same for any woman falling for him and he knew it. And yet Fi was still writing to him regularly. Just checking in or asking to hang out. Every time she messaged, Cal was shocked. Even more so when those messages turned to dates and those dates turned to sleepovers. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had more fun with someone…and yet also constantly wondered when it would all stop. He wondered if she wasn’t getting bored of him while in France. Fi seemed eager to leave him to his work. Which, normally, Cal would be the same, but not this time. When he wasn’t knee deep in curse breaking, he found himself checking his parchment for any sign of her. But on Wednesday he’d been so busy that he hadn’t had time to look, let alone message her himself. It was late when he finally got home and ultimately decided to wait until the following day to attempt to contact her. Not quite tired enough for bed, he’d headed out of his flat as soon as he dropped his bags. He’d brought some notes with him and headed straight for a pub he’d worked at several times before then. But, to his surprise, just as soon as he entered, he spotted Fi. Smiling to himself, he waited for the waiter to walk away before approaching her. “Fancy seeing you here! I thought about messaging you, but figured it was too late. How’re you? Are you…here with someone?” Cal looked at her table and then glanced around the room, looking for what he didn’t know. Could she be here on a date with someone else? Was his next thought and he took a small step back from the table. “Sorry. Am I intruding?”

Fi tried her best to act casual but she failed miserably. The cake she'd sketched out resembled a child's drawing and she'd downed half of her cider in an attempt to calm her sudden uptick of nerves. She didn't get nervous around men. Not until she met Cal. Maybe he didn't see her, she thought with a mixture of hope and disappointment. But as soon as the waiter vanished, he appeared and he looked happy to see her. Fi smiled hesitantly up at him, a bit surprised he thought of contacting her. She gave him a quizzical expression when he looked around. She nearly laughed out loud when Cal asked if she was here with someone? Like she was the one going on brunch dates with other people! Fi could end it all right now, with a quick lie. Yes, she was here with someone. Instead, even so early on, she couldn't deny herself a chance to see him. "No, I'm by myself, join me?" Fi asked and immediately hated how eager she sounded, and as he sat down, the way her smile widened into a bright grin until she was nearly beaming at him. Gosh, he was so handsome... Not even two minutes later, a plate of fresh, hot chips landed in the middle of the table and she nudged them his way. "Help yourself," offered as she tucked her sketchpad and pencils away. Suddenly, she was very aware of the old pair of denim overalls she had on, her blonde hair pulled into a disheveled bun at the base of her neck. Cal had seen her in every state of undress, but she was still in the phase where she worked to look effortlessly cute and sexy on their dates. The "oh, this old thing?" reaction when he complimented the dress she'd spent over an hour shopping for."How was Paris? And dinner the other night? I didn't know you were back yet." But why would she? "So a work trip in Paris, not too bad. Do you ever have time to socialize?" Fi kept her tone light as she snagged a fry.

Just as Fi tried to act casual, Cal was doing very much the same. He wasn't sure what it was about her that flustered him so much, but it hadn't gotten any better even weeks after their first date. Even knowing (ok, assuming) that she wouldn't stick around long didn't help his nerves. In some ways he almost wished she'd put him out of his misery. And then in others, like tonight, he felt this gravitational pull towards Fi that he couldn't deny. He'd walked right up to her table without a second thought, almost not on his own accord. Cal couldn't hide the sigh of relief he let out when she promised she was there alone. Deep down he knew that, even if she had been there with someone, that was her prerogative. It wasn't like they were together together anyway. He grinned back at her as he accepted the seat across the table. It wasn't until the chips came that he realized how hungry he was and quickly ordered a plate of fish and chips and a drink. "I haven't eaten since breakfast," he admitted, finally looking back at her and really taking her in. "I like your overalls, by the way." A harmless comment as Cal was completely oblivious to the fact that she felt self-conscious about how she looked tonight. To him she looked adorable and still just as sexy as she did in the dresses she'd worn on their dates. When his plate of food arrived, he offered some to Fi before digging in soon after. "Paris was good. We accomplished a lot and were able to wrap the job up in time, so that's good. Dinner the other night...?" Cal trailed off, trying to piece together what Fi was referring to now. "Oh, you mean going over notes with Julia? She was my partner on this trip. We were up until nearly midnight trying to organize everything." Talking about his job was second nature by now, and he sometimes forgot that not everyone knew the inner workings of and the effort it took to being a cursebreaker. "Socialize? Eh, no. Not usually on a job. I mean, some people find the time, but I'd rather just focus on the work."Cal shrugged and sat back in his chair. "What about you? How's the bakery been? And did you end up going to that cooking class?"

Even from the beginning, the two were wonderful at miscommunication. Cal was waiting for Fi to end things while she sat there wondering just how many women he had in his back pocket besides her. He was intelligent, funny…achingly handsome and their sexual chemistry was off the charts. How could she not be upset at the mere notion of sharing him? As he returned her grin, a warmth spread through her just from being close to him again. This feeling was why Fi couldn’t bring herself to ask about his brunch date she unfortunately witnessed last week. She was giddy around him, happy. Forget twitterpated (and she still wasn’t quite sure what it meant), she was downright smitten. And it was why she needed to get ahead of this before it was too late. Just..not right now. She pushed the small ramekin of mushy peas towards Cal and grabbed the small wedge of lemon and squeezed it out atop the fried fish. Movements she knew by rote and didn’t think twice about doing. “You do?” Fi looked down at her outfit and ducked her head shyly with a soft “Thanks, they’re my favorites.” She took another sip of cider and listened to him talk about work (while ignoring the prick of jealous she felt over his co-worker). “I’m glad you’re back,” the words slipped out but she meant them and smiled at him again. “Bakery has been busy and I did end up,” she stopped short when an attractive woman with auburn curls stopped by their table. “Cal! You know this is my spot, miss me already? We just got back from Paris today!” So..THIS was Julia. Fi eyed her from toe to pate, waiting for the woman to acknowledge her, but all she did was squeeze Cal’s arm. “What a great work trip, huh?” And didn’t let go. “How good was that restaurant?” And ignored Fi as the two chatted very briefly before she said goodbye.
Unbelievable…
Before Cal could speak, Fi leaned forward and blurted out, “Callum, am I just a booty call? Just some bird to warm your bed from time to time?”

Cal grinned a little as she pushed the mushy peas toward him. They'd barely known each other a month and already knew how the other liked their fish and chips. Everything from how they spoke to each to each to how they behaved together felt so effortless. Yet as soon as he was apart from her, his own self-deprecating thoughts crept in and he convinced himself there was no way she could want him. It just didn't make sense that someone like Fi would possibly choose someone like him. But tonight, as they awkwardly flirted with one another, those thoughts faded into the background yet again. "I'm glad I'm back too. And really glad I ran into you," Cal admitted. He was listening so intently as Fi began to tell him about the shop that he didn't even realize the woman that approached the table was talking to him. It wasn't until Julia squeezed his arm that he looked up at her in surprise. "Oh! Wow, sorry. This is your spot?" he fumbled, clearly confused. Cal looked quizzically up at Julia before turning his gaze back to Fi. She looked...annoyed? Surprised? He couldn't quite place it. "Er...yeah, it was a good trip. Glad we were able to check everything off the list. The restaurant? Uh, I guess it was pretty good." The onslaught of questions had him feeling out of sorts They'd only really talked about work while in Paris so all this didn't make much sense to Cal. He sighed and shook his head as Julia finally retreated, glad their awkward conversation was now over. To be fair, nearly every non work related conversation he had with colleagues felt awkward to him. He much preferred to keep the personal details out of his professional life. Cal sat back in his chair, about to apologize for how weird Julia had been when Fi leaned forward accusingly. Clearly stunned, his jaw dropped open. "A booty call? What?" He'd never been accused of such a thing before. Hell, he didn't even know that was a thing he could ever actually do. "Why do you--is this because of her? Because we did nothing but work together. And we...what was she on about? We ate at a bloody pub and went over field notes the entire time!"

The two had slept together a handful of times. Yet, it still took them a few minutes to settle into the flow of their blossoming relationship. Fi liked Cal's social awkwardness. She'd been with guys who were too smooth and hid their true intentions behind the façade of put on charm. He didn't seem to have it in him to be disingenuous. Still, as she sat there and watched Julia as she fawned over Cal, she too felt the nag of self doubt. He looked completely uninvested in her sudden appearance, but Fi assumed he was caught off-guard. He seemed so present when they were together, in and out of the bedroom. They held hands when out. She caught him looking at more than a few times. He made her unexpectedly blush all the time. Their parchment exchanges had become the highlight of her days. If it sounded like Fi accused him of something it's because she was. The question came out suspicious, tinged with anger, which was directed at mostly herself. It'd been a long time since she had found a man she saw a future with.. "I'm not talking about her! I know you'd never let sex interrupt a work trip," oh, how the two of them would look back on this conversation and laugh and laugh... "you're far too focused." Something, she really liked about him. Fi took a gulp of liquid courage and then a breath. "I saw you last week at brunch with a woman. I wasn't stalking you or anything! I was out shopping. You were laughing and you looked so...comfortable with her. You don't tell me when you're going out of town for work and I guess that's fine? But it'd just be nice to know and, and am I just good for sex..." she shook her head. "I know it's early but you...you're dangerous.. you're handsome and intelligent and I feel so good when I'm with you. So it doesn't surprise me you're seeing other people? I get it. But I don't think it's something I can handle. I like you. Way too fucking much." Fi rambled on until she lost her breath and her cheeks burned with embarrassment. "I sound bloody crazy," she rose and began fishing around in her bag for some money, "I'm sorry, I just can't be one in a line of birds waiting to be with you."

To be fair, Cal didn't even know that being disingenuous was something he could do. He was frank to a fault, and it often got him into trouble. It never occurred to him to use another person for his benefit. Well, unless work was involved and then he typically did what needed to be done. But not in a social setting. Which, admittedly, he didn't find himself in often. It hadn't even registered that Julia was flirting with him now. Only that she seemed to be acting out of character for what he experienced with her at work. So for Fi to easily jump to the (admittedly obvious) conclusion, Cal was completely taken aback. While he never expected what he was doing with Fi to actually go anywhere, he also hadn't been malicious in his actions with her. He wasn't seeing anyone else, let alone Julia. Hell, he barely had time to focus on anything or anyone other than his job these days. And now, as Fi so suddenly explained where she was coming from now, Cal's usually sharp wits became muddled and somehow even more confused. Brunch with another woman? He was supposed to tell her when he was going out for work? He didn't even bother to tell his brother when he left most of the time. As if all that wasn't baffling enough, then she called him dangerous. But she liked him? The amount of information she laid out on the table hit him like a ton of bricks. He was still working out half of it when she stood up from the table and grabbed for her bag. "Wait! Wait, please don't go. Hang on. I don't understand." Cal, too, stood up and reached in his pocket before putting money on the table before Fi could. "Just...can we go for a walk or something?" He glanced around and spotted Julia a few tables away. She waved. Anywhere was better than here. "Please?" At that he awkwardly led her to the door and they stepped out onto the sidewalk. It was an unseasonably warm evening for April and Cal was glad for that. "First off, brunch? That was my sister-in-law, Ophelia. She and my older brother have been together for ages. Since I was a teenager. I'm not seeing anyone else. Not Julia, especially. She was being fucking weird back there," he slowly explained, gesturing to the pub now behind them. His mind was racing trying to cover each of the points Fi had brought up. He had never seen her upset before and he didn't like it. Especially when it was aimed at him. "I...I guess I'm just in the habit of not telling anyone when and where I'm going? I've been on my own for a long time and yeah. I guess that's been a source of contention when I've dated other people too, so I'm sorry. I'll do better with that, I promise. Well, if you'll let me..." Cal trailed off now, finally taking it all in. She liked him. She'd said those exact words. She didn't have one foot out the door this whole time. She just didn't know where he stood. He stopped walking then and turned to face her. Actually telling someone how he felt was not a strong suit of his. In fact, he was terrified. But he didn't want her to be upset. Not because of him. "I like you too, Fi. I swear I'm not seeing anyone else. I don't want to see anyone else. Just you. I'm sorry I've been rubbish at expressing that. I know I'm bad at all this," he explained, gesturing between the two of them. "I just...I couldn't fathom why someone as amazing and charming and smart as hell would want to be with someone like me. I thought you'd realize it too and that would be that."

Fi’s chest rose and fell as she tried to get a handle on the sudden surge of emotions her rant evoked. She wasn’t supposed to like Cal so much, so early on. Not even a month in, things were still supposed to be casual, breezy even. He didn’t owe her any sort of explanation and yet here she was demanding them as she jumped to her own wild conclusions. Her outburst hung in the air between them like a dark cloud she couldn’t outrun and the acrid taste of regret coated her tongue. She never did quite learn when to just keep her mouth shut. Worse, Fi probably ruined any chance of their relationship continuing. If the circumstances were different, she’d find humor in it when Cal snatched her bag away. “Cal, it’s fine, really!” But he was too quick and as he slapped money down on the table, Fi finally registered what he was saying. But just because he wanted to talk didn’t necessarily mean anything. Maybe he wanted to call her a psychopath without an audience. And speaking of.. this time she didn’t hide anything and she glared at Julia over her shoulder as the two left the pub. She steeled herself for the consequences of her actions, but instead of being officially broken up with, Cal offered explanations. Fi was downright shocked as he calmly, if nervously answered all her questions, his words slow and deliberate as to not upset the crazy woman again. The tension in her shoulders relaxed even though her embarrassment still remained. “If I’ll let you?” She asked, downright incredulous as she nearly stopped in her tracks. As Cal marveled over the revelation Fi liked him (which she assumed he knew already), she also found his own assumptions hard to swallow. Without quite realizing it, as he spoke, her hands reached out for his and she tangled her fingers with his. A shy smile appeared then spread into another one of her beaming ones. He called her smart. And he wasn’t seeing anyone else and he didn’t want to and he wasn’t ending things. “I’m not seeing anyone either! And I don’t want to,” she stepped close and squeezed his hands. “Someone like you? What does that even mean, Cal? You’re smart and handsome. So handsome. In an I’m fairly certain I’m driving him crazy while he’s working but I can’t stop looking at him way. I’m sorry,” she looked down, “I just, gosh, I really like you. And if you were using me for sex or had other birds, I just needed to know. So I could try and cut things off before,” I fell for you “I started to like you more.

Cal didn't see Fi's glare back at Julia, but if he had he wouldn't have blamed her. His colleague sure managed to pull out all the stops in order to make an awkward night for them. Things like that would never make sense to him. Why anyone would try to wedge themselves between another couple was beyond him. Of course, months and years from now, Cal would find himself doing just that when Fi was involved with someone else, but that was irrelevant now.A s he rattled off the answers to her many questions, he felt himself grow more and more frantic. Normally when it came to presenting facts, Cal would take his time. Prepare a list or three. But tonight he was unprepared. He never in a million years thought Fi would bother with him for much longer, let alone be jealous of other women. "Well...yeah? I mean, I'm gone all the time. And I didn't even realize I should tell you when I'm leaving. It wouldn't be the first time someone's dumped me because of my job. And, well, me being a rubbish communicator," he explained with a shrug. The fact that she hadn't already come to that conclusion was baffling to him. By the time he'd finished his spiel, Cal barely even realized she'd taken hold of his hands. But when Fi mentioned she wasn't seeing anyone else either, he finally let out a sigh of relief. "I just mean...I'm not good at this. Relationships. I don't really know how they work and I'm just winging it, honestly. I'm a wanker who spends most of his time buried in work, Fi. But you don't drive me crazy. Not even a little. I really like your company." Cal paused, worrying his lower lip for a moment as his thumb brushed over the back of her hand. "I would never use you for sex. I hope you know I mean that, love. I'm really sorry I mucked this up so much."

The more Cal explained, she was able to take a step back from everything and see it with a clearer head. Which was probably a mistake, because now she felt twice as embarrassed as she did in the pub. The two had been on what, five, six dates? And here she was, acting completely mental with her unreasonable demands and accusations. “I’m not going to dump you because of your job, Cal,” Fi exclaimed incredulously. “I know how much you love it, that’s one of the things I like about you,” and there were many. “I see so many people who come into the shop, angry because they hate their jobs. I think it’s great how dedicated you are to yours.” She grinned up at him, a bit shyly, “And, I like hearing your stories. Especially any involving you in a hippogriff fight club.” The sweep of his thumb along her hand was light, but in this moment, something Fi needed. Coupled with Cal’s reassuring, (if not self-deprecating) words it made any residual shame she felt disappear. She hadn’t noticed it quite yet (but she would), how his presence calmed her as much as it excited her. “You’re not mucking anything up. I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. I’m a bit mental,” she warned with a smile on her face, “but I like to think in an endearing way? Not in a crazy stalker way. Callum,” Fi tugged him closer and off the sidewalk and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her face pressed into his chest. “Fuck, I really like you,” her words muffled. Unlike him, she never had a problem speaking her mind. Fi leaned back and kissed him. It was an I’m sorry kiss. A Let’s get out of here kiss and when she pulled, her mouth lingered against his as she whispered, “Let’s go back to my place?”

do not go gentle into that good night

Fi knew it was wrong to lie, but what about an omission of one? Surely it wasn’t the same thing. When she invited Cal to be her date to an upcoming wedding she’d still been on the guest list. And up until a week ago, that was still true. But he didn’t need to know all the gory details of why she’d been disinvited. She was protecting the innocent, Fi reasoned to herself. She’d been pleasantly surprised when he agreed to go with her. They’d been seeing each other for two months, the relationship edging into three. A couple girlfriends told her she was making a mistake, asking him to a wedding so soon, but as per usual, she didn’t listen and shrugged off their well-meaning advice. Happy, sad, angry, she displayed all of her emotions like an ever changing coat of arms along with her heart on her sleeve. Fi’d never been good at “playing it cool” in relationships. If she liked someone, they knew it. If she didn’t, well, they definitely knew it. And Cal, oh, she liked him. Quite a bit. Enough to privately decide she had zero interest in dating anyone else. They saw one another at least a couple times a week and on days he got back home from a job it’d become a standing invitation for him to come over so they could thoroughly catch up. Spring was in full swing and the weather on this particular Saturday was perfect for a wedding. Fi hadn’t been invited to the actual ceremony since it'd been a smaller affair, kept to close friends and family. And while the reception started at two, she needed their tardiness to add to the cover of when she essentially snuck them in so she told Cal to arrive at her place at two. The wedding was a grand affair, close to two hundred people invited (well, one hundred and ninety nine) and the bride Nina insisted on pulling out all the stops, thanks to her father’s role as a wealthy higher up on some board of somethings at Gringott’s bank. The invitation decreed black tie, but Fi told her date a suit would suffice, no need to wear a tux if he didn’t fancy it. Briefly, she thought of wearing a white dress but as upset as she was, she couldn’t do it. Instead she settled on a peach hued, floor length, sparkly number instead. When Cal arrived (on time of course), all he’d see was a flash of his date, hear the rustle of Fi’s dress as she whooshed around in her bedroom and came out putting her earrings in, forever running a minute or two behind. “One minute, I swear, one minute!” Once she was happy with her jewelry situation she bounced over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hello. “Hi, love. Cal, you look good…,” she smiled, suddenly realizing this was their first time in fancy dress around one another. Almost immediately, she discovered a penchant for him in a tie, but an entire suit… he did not disappoint. Fi highly suspected he had no idea just how brain scorchingly hot he really was, just another thing she liked about Cal. The two were still getting to know one another but her attraction to him was clearly undeniable. She kissed him again, this one lingering a bit then grabbed a small purse and linked her arm through his. “Thanks for being my date.”

Having just returned that morning from an extended job in Iceland, Cal was blissfully unaware of any sort of drama that had ensued while he was away. Not that he would have necessarily been privy to it regardless, of course. After over two months of dating, it was the longest he'd been with someone in quite some time. Usually his job proved to be too time consuming for either the other person or for him to focus on anything else. But Fi seemed content in their somewhat irregular date nights, especially considering she had plenty to keep her busy with the shop. It had worked out quite nicely and Cal, too, was more than happy to see Fi and only Fi. He wasn't the most well-versed in dating though, and that sometimes tripped him up a little. For instance, when he'd told his mum he was attending a wedding with Fi, she seemed pleasantly surprised, talking about it extensively with him until he begged to change the topic. Was going to a wedding with someone that big of a deal? It's not like it was their wedding. None of it made much sense to him, but Cal was suddenly aware that it was more than a casual date night. Even though Fi said a tux wasn't necessary, Cal decided it seemed rude not to follow the dress code. He already owned one thanks to having to schmooze at bank events a couple times a year; by far his least favorite aspect of his job. He'd made sure that the suit was cleaned and pressed and his shoes shined before leaving for Iceland, knowing he'd be cutting it close if he wasn't prepared. A quick shower was all he really needed once he got home, deciding the slight scruff on his face would have to stay in order to make it on time. Of course, once he arrived at Fi's flat, he realized he would have had plenty of time to shave considering she was still running about like a chicken with her head cut off. He was checking his watch when she finally emerged. The sight of her making her forget the importance of being on time, a smile forming on his lips as he took her in. "Er...what? Sorry, I didn't hear anything you just said. You look amazing, love," he admitted sheepishly, returning the kiss. Cal, of course, recognized how beautiful Fi was from the get go, but she always seemed to stun him in some way every time he saw her. All dressed up for an event was no exception. He almost didn't want to let her go when she kissed him again, hand coming up to rest the side of her neck in order to pull her a little closer. But then he remembered the wedding and that they were already late and gladly took her arm. "Of course, love. Remind me how you know the bride and groom again?" he asked, knowing she'd probably already explained it to him before now.

Just under three months in and everything still felt new and exciting. Like their first date and subsequent first night together, she still got butterflies, still warmed beneath his attention and tonight was no different. Her cheeks flushed in obvious pleasure at his compliment and she gave a quiet murmur of “Thanks, love.” When Cal’s hand gently moved along her neck, she nearly suggested they skip the wedding and spend the rest of their night catching up. Oh, but he looked to good in his tux and she’d spent all that time on her dress and make up and… they had the rest of the night together and hopefully the morning too. Cal’s question was perfectly normal and innocent, but it immediately caused a pinprick of guilt to poke at her conscience, question the entire night. But Fi was too far gone, too selfish, too angry to turn back now. “Oh, I’m friends with both of them actually. The groom and I dated.. very briefly,” she rushed to add, “and we stayed mates and then I introduced him to my friend Nina and the rest is history.” And I was unfairly invited from their wedding because she’s a jealous cow. As they walked outside she took his arm and the pair apparated to the chosen venue. It was an outdoor reception, all billowy silk white tents constructed over polished dark hardwood floors. When the sun set, the white fabric would fade away into the air, leaving behind the open roof strung with sparkling lights that shifted and twinkled like the night sky above. Champagne fountains dotted the expansive room, charmed to flow freely with a never ending supply of the bubbly liquid. Silver trays of hors d'oeuvres flit around without the aid of servers and… there was seemingly only one entrance in and out of the wedding, no doubt ordered by Nina’s father, the paranoid old sod. “Shit,” Fi muttered beneath her breath as they got in the short line to the entrance. “Where is she,” she added as she glanced around for her a “in” - one of her good friends who had the misfortune of being a bridesmaid. She wrapped her arm through Cal’s once more and smiled up at him. Merlin’s beard he was handsome. “Am I going to have to get you good and pissed to dance with me? Or will two glasses of whiskey do the trick?

It constantly surprised him, how easily he could get wrapped up in Fi. Between the new relationship excitement and jitters and just how breathtaking she was, it was a wonder Cal had managed to hold onto her for so long. He was completely ill-equipped to maintain a relationship with anyone, but she didn't seem to mind. For all his awkwardness and insecurities, Fi was always meeting him just where he was. Of course, they were very different in almost every aspect, but it was easy to overlook those things when the sparks for flying between them. His question about the wedding was more for his own point of reference in case he wound up in conversation with the couple. Just as with his job, Cal liked to research and prepare for pretty much everything he could. Especially social interactions. Since he spent the majority of his time working by himself and swearing and coercing curses out of inanimate objects, talking to people was not his strong suit. As Fi explained her relationship to bride and groom, he raised an eyebrow at the mention of them dating. While the detail was an interesting one, it didn't necessarily raise any red flags to Cal. He'd certainly remained friends with girls he'd casually dated in the past and this didn't seem any different. Cal didn't bother asking her to expand on anything else, feeling like the explanation was more than adequate. When they arrived at the venue, his jaw dropped a little. This certainly appeared to be a nice event, and with hundreds of people milling about. Hundreds of complete strangers. He could feel his anxiety rise a little as he realized just how out of his comfort zone he really was. Gladly taking her arm again, he subconsciously pulled her a little closer to him. He'd never admit to these feelings of social anxiety, but he knew he also wasn't great at hiding them. "Oy, what's wrong?" he asked, suddenly realizing she seemed anxious as well. "Who are we looking for?" Chuckling a little at the mention of dancing, he shrugged before peering over the line of people in front of them to see if he could spot the bar. A drink seemed absolutely necessary all of the sudden. "Two to get me on the floor, three if you want me to actually dance," he finally said with a smirk. "This is a really nice wedding, Fi. What do you friends do for a living?"

On parchment, the two were completely ill suited and their first week around each other seemed proof of it. Cal didn’t consider himself a risk taker, but it was only because he took one and stopped back by her shop they here now. He continued to surprise Fi in the most delightful ways. He wasn’t nearly as serious as she initially assumed. He was funny, his sense of humour self-deprecating and genuine. Grumpy yes, but now she found it endearing, enjoyed coaxing him out of it. And for all their differences, they seemed to work, the way two seemingly mismatched puzzle pieces ended up fitting together. Fi didn’t realize she’d spoken as loud as she had until Cal seemed to stiffen beside her. She noticed him pulling her close and happily obliged, sliding an arm firmly around his waist. “Sorry, all good. My friend is a bridesmaid and she said she’d help us skip this line, was just looking for her,” again, not a complete lie. She gave him a reassuring squeeze and smirked right back, “He’s a lawyer and she’s a bit of a trust fund baby, but does a lot of work for non profit organizations. And her father is loaded. And what will four drinks get me? Anything I want?” Asked with a suggestive arch of her brow. The line moved up a bit more and then Fi heard a soft, “Psst, Fi. FIORETTA,” followed by the soft coo of a what sounded like an owl. She turned her head and there was Lila a few feet away, motioning them over. Fi grabbed Cal’s hand and tugged him after her where the couple ducked beneath the white sheet. The women embraced and she introduced Cal to her friend. Lila’s eyes lit up as she blatantly checked him out as she took his hand in hers briefly. “So you’re Cal. Little Miss Fioretta here can’t stop talking about you. Ever since your first — OW!” Lila winched as Fi death glared and elbowed her. “Right then, you two are at table twenty, a couple of no shows. Have fuuuuuun!” Fi took Cal’s hand in hers and also grabbed two flutes of champagne as they navigated their way to the table she definitely didn’t belong to. She settled down, took a big swig and looked around then back at him sheepishly. “So uh, yeah that’s Lila,” she turned to him and smiled. “How was your trip?”

Still completely oblivious to the fact that they shouldn't be there, Cal had no reason to doubt any of what Fi was telling him. Who just showed up to a wedding they weren't technically invited to anyway? The thought alone would never have crossed his mind, but much later, in retrospect, he probably shouldn't have been surprised it crossed Fi's. Future Cal would just chalk this up to her many antics, but in the present he had yet to experience something like this with her. "I can tell. Reckon this is the fanciest wedding I've ever attended. Only thing that comes close is the banquets they make me go to for work," he mused, still distracted by the grandiose tent and hundreds of people inside. "Four drinks? Oh that'll get you anything he want," he teased, elbowing her in the side a little. The next thing he knew, he was being pulled out of the line and into the tent through some secret entrance. It all felt a bit strange, but still Cal didn't question it. He was now too busy being ogled by Lila, his hands in hers. "Er...hi. Yeah, I guess I am--" Cal stumbled awkwardly through the introduction, eyes darting between her and Fi. Luckily Fi put him out of his misery quickly and they were on their way to their table. Was it their table though? Did Lila say something about no shows? He didn't have time to really question it before Fi was handing him champagne and pulling him toward the it regardless. Glad to be sitting down and away from the throngs of people, Cal took a sip of champagne and sat back in his chair. "She seems nice. Sounds like you've told her all about me," he teased, knowing full well what she was about to say before Fi interrupted her. "Hmm? Oh it was fine. Spent most of it covered in volcanic ash, but we found what we were looking for. Hey...is that your friends over there?" He stopped and pointed across the room at what was clearly the bride and groom chatting with a small group of guests. "They look happy. Should we say hello?"

"A Gringotts banquet? That sounds...dreadfully boring, love," she teased, "but what do I know? Maybe you and all the goblins are swinging from the chandeliers by the end of the night. That must be a five drink Cal, I bet." Fi made a mental note to step on Lila's feet later with heel of her shoes for embarrassing Cal. He didn't need to tell her large crowds and/or unfamiliar social situations made him nervous. She caught onto it their first night together. Once again (though it didn't bother her), she realized what taking him to a wedding signified. Not necessarily a big step in their budding romance - she never liked following the rules in anything - but a big room filled with plenty of strangers, wasn't this his worst nightmare? Fi momentarily forgot about her friend's antics and focused on her date. She scooted her chair closer until her legs slid into the open space between his and leaned forward to brush her lips against his. "I told you were a very nice young man with lots of manners and we haven't even kissed yet. I'm hoping tonight we will," Fi whispered solemnly. "Volcanic ash? Your job sounds wild," she replied with obvious admiration, "I'm going to go with you sometime," she stated. Any boldness Cal lacked, she made up for in spades. She glanced over her shoulder and with an air of breeziness she didn't feel said, "Oh yeah, but I'm sure they're really busy. I'll introduce you later yeah?" Fi downed the rest of her champagne and as a silver tray filled with various drink selections floated by she grabbed another flute of bubbly and a glass of what looked like whiskey. What she didn't catch as she turned back around was Nina spotting her at the table and her face turning as white as her pristine wedding dress, then red with anger. Or how she made a move to walk over, but the groom (Tom) gently dissuaded her."Callum Sinclair?" A soft feminine voice was heard and Fi turned around to see a statuesque blonde in a strapless black dress in front of them looking down at Cal with a delight expression on her face. "What're you doing here? How was Iceland?"

"They are the bloody worst. Chandelier swinging couldn't even save them. Just goblins and uptight rich people everywhere you turn." he agreed. "Well, wait, I'll need you to come as my date to the next one so maybe I shouldn't talk so horribly about it." Cal chuckled as he took another long sip from his champagne glass. While he wasn't a complete agoraphobe, he certainly didn't love being in awkward social settings. Which was, well, most social settings if he really thought about it. While it wouldn't be his first choice, Cal didn't mind being here with Fi, though. There were plenty of times he had to push himself out of his comfort zone and didn't regret it. As Fi moved closer to him, he smiled, hand coming to rest on her waist as her lips brushed against his. "Hopefully I can put my gentlemanly ways aside. Just for tonight," he joked. If he'd had a few more drinks in him, he might have forgotten all about the crowd around them. But, as it was, he'd have to wait until later to give her the attention he really wanted. "I reckon it can be wild, yeah." Cal had been doing his job long enough to forget it was actually quite exciting sometimes. He still loved it as much as he did in the beginning, but it was easy to get a little complacent when he did it every day. "You'd want to come? I mean, I think I could swing that. Maybe the next smaller job I get." Normally he preferred to work alone, but Fi made almost everything fun. Fi may have missed Nina's reaction to spotting her, but Cal did not. Of course, he had no idea why the newlywed looked like she'd swallowed a bug. It didn't even occur to him that it would have something to do with Fi, so he shrugged it off and turned his attention back to his date. "Having to greet everyone here sounds exhausting," he admitted. At the sound of his name, Cal did a double take at the woman now towering over them. "Marina? Fancy seeing you here!" He smiled up at her before pushing his chair back and standing up to greet her, holding his hand out to Fi as he helped her up as well. "Iceland was good. The team left something to be desired though. Wish you could have made it. Oh! Uh, well, I'm here because...well, because my...er Fi, here, knows the married couple. What's brought you here?" Cal looked back at Fi with a nervous smile, completely unsure of how to refer to her. They'd dated for awhile, but never really put a label on it. "Um, Fi, this is Marina Parkinson. She's a cursebreaker at Gringotts as well. And this is Fi...Fioretta Conti. She owns The Witching Flour. You know those croissants I brought to the office? They're all thanks to her."

"As payback for taking you to a wedding with a million people, right?" Fi teased back, secretly pleased to be invited to an event with him, no matter how boring it might be. "I'd love to come, would YOU want me to, is a whole other story," she mused, not joking in the least. "Are there shiny things I can take? Something sparkly maybe? Would I get in trouble?" Again, not kidding around in the least. Fi's Patronus should've been a magpie, but a butterfly. They were still learning about each other, finding out the good and bad. She openly appraised who was apparently one of his co-workers. Fi'd been into Gringotts plenty of times and she'd never seen a cursebreaker who looked like that. Marina was a good few inches taller than her, all icy blonde hair piled atop her head with clear blue eyes, her curves accentuated by her dress. Threatened wasn't quite the right word for how it made Fi feel, maybe intimidated? But she told herself to be kind and gave Marina a genuine smile and shook her hand as well. "Hi, I'm his Fi," ignoring Cal's understandable misstep in labeling whatever this was, "Nice to meet you, Marina."
"Oh that's your spot? I've walked by it a few times it's adorable and now I see why. Those croissants were heavenly," Fi bristled at the "adorable" part, what was she a bloody puppy, but kept the smile on her face, uncertain if Marina meant to be as condescending as she sounded.
"That's me," not wanting to be rude to one of Cal's colleagues. She drained her glass of champagne and stepped away, to get more information from Lila about the day. Now that her date had some distraction, she didn't feel guilty leaving him for a few minutes. "I'll be right back love," Fi pressed a kiss to his cheek and flashed a quick grin at Marina before walking away, only catching the tail end of their convo as the blonde mentioned who the bride was. She caught Lila by one of the many platter filled buffet tables and her friend was already tipsy as she tugged Fi to a corner to chit chat and gossip about the day putting yet another flute of champagne in her hand. Out of nowhere, the groom came up and tugged on Fi's arm, clearly irritated. "Fioretta, what the bloody hell are you doing here? Nina is going to lose her shit."
"And why is that?" she snapped in return, "because you didn't have the bullocks to stand up to her and tell her it was your idea to meet for a gift for her? Don't be such a coward!" Lila tried to play peacemaker, insist if Fi and Nina could only talk, but the groom fiercely shook his head and latched onto her arm again and tried to quietly escort her outside. But Fi being Fi, did not go gently into the night. "I'm not going anywhere," she hissed. "I've known Nina for six years, I did your fucking engagement cake," and with that, whirled around and stalked off. Fi was warm, both with emotion champagne but bypassed the food to go sit with Cal once again. "Hi, sorry about that. Just needed to take care of something," she quickly glanced over her shoulder as Lila stepped in front of the groom to talk him down. "So you and Marina are co workers?"

"Why wouldn't I want you to come along?" Cal shrugged as he moved on to his glass of whiskey, not even realizing he'd asked her to yet another fancy event that his mum would probably give him a hard time about. "I reckon we could find you something shiny. Just have to be careful what it is. Do you fancy getting in trouble or...?" he trailed off, realizing just how excited she was about the idea of stealing something. Raising an eyebrow, he decided not to question it further, figuring he likely didn't want to know the answer. While Cal had no issue breaking rules here and there, he was no where near as mischievous as Fi, as he was very quickly learning. What Fi didn't know about Marina was that she was five years his senior and very much a mentor to him. And, while she only heard the other woman call her shop adorable, he'd latched on to the compliment about her croissants. Cal was constantly learning new things about Fi, but this was the first time he'd experienced anything resembling intimidation or jealousy so he wasn't the most keen to pick up on it. He welcomed the kiss to the cheek with a small smile and nodded as she left. "She's lovely, Sinclair. I'm impressed. Was betting you'd be lifetime bachelor at this rate," Marina teased, a running joke that seemed to go through the office every few months. Cal took his job very seriously, though, and certainly wasn't sharing his love life with his colleagues. So much for that. "Anyway, you know the bride though, don't you? Nina Philbrook? Her father's on the board at the bank. Boris Philbrook?"
"Oh! Yeah, I don't think I knew that, no. Didn't even think to ask Fi for their surnames," Cal said, suddenly realizing exactly who she was talking about. "I'll have to introduce myself." He looked around for both the bride and then Fi, but neither were in sight. "You should. Anyway, I'm off to the bar. See you Monday, yeah?" And with that Marina was gone and Cal was left to his own devices. Reaching yet again for his drink, he was happy to have some liquid courage in such a bustling social setting. Luckily, Fi was back soon after, though she seemed a little out of breath. "Huh? Oh yeah, she basically trained me. You alright, love? You look a little flushed."

“Do I fancy getting in trouble?” Fi repeated with a glint of pure mischief in her gaze. “Oh, love,” was all she said with a smile, a shrug of her bare shoulders and left it there. From the beginning, it was clear she was the more chaotic, adventurous one of the two. Depending on how long their relationship carried on, he’d see all of it and more. Jealousy wasn’t a foreign emotion for Fi, she was human after all. Marina was beautiful and as she looked her over, she felt a small flicker of it. But not anything to obsess or worry over. She should’ve put two and two together that Cal may know Nina’s father or at least of him, but was too focused on the day ahead. She hated her reasons for coming had altered even a little, but was also glad to be with Cal and spend time with him. Beneath anger there was always hurt and this case was no different. But Fi was too tuned into the latter, at least right now. “She did?” Her expression softened and she looked at him and nodded, not realizing how off kilter she looked. “I’m okay, promise,” she grinned, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. The couple sat there for a little while, flirting, catching up. Grabbing the occasional heavy hors d'oeuvres off the floating trays weaving in and out of the space. Fi needed a lot more than that to counteract the champagne she’d drank and soon she was tipsy. The band slid into a slower song and she leaned into Cal, hope I’m her eyes.

The look on Fi's face at the mention of getting into trouble was a little surprising to Cal. Of course he knew she liked to have fun, but this was deeper than that. Again he shrugged it off, though, deciding she was probably just joking. Oh how wrong he would be. As the afternoon wore on, Cal, too, managed a few more drinks. Still completely oblivious to the excitement that had been evolving in the background. He was blissfully unaware of this being anything other than a normal wedding of which they were normal (and wanted) guests. So he took advantage of the free flowing alcohol and food as it floated by as well, enjoying chatting with Fi, their knees touching as they flirted with one another. There was something about being with her that made him forget about their surroundings, even in a crowded room like this. Her request to dance shouldn't have surprised him, but he still fumbled a little with his response. "Uh...er...yes. Yeah, we can dance," he finally agreed, not because he felt pressured, but because it did sound sort of nice in the moment. Cal stood up and held out his hand to her before weaving through the crowd towards the dance floor. He could probably count on one hand how many times he'd actually danced with anyone, so it was safe to say he had no clue what he was doing. But he'd also had enough alcohol to not entirely care. Turning to face her, Cal held one hand out for her to take and the other moved to rest on her waist. "That's how this goes, yeah?" he asked, a little shyly, smiling down at her. "You and your toes might regret asking me to do this, y'know," he joked.

“Do I fancy getting in trouble?” Fi repeated with a glint of pure mischief in her gaze. “Oh, love,” was all she said with a smile, a shrug of her bare shoulders and left it there. From the beginning, it was clear she was the more chaotic, adventurous one of the two. Depending on how long their relationship carried on, he’d see all of it and more. Jealousy wasn’t a foreign emotion for Fi, she was human after all. Marina was beautiful and as she looked her over, she felt a small flicker of it. But not anything to obsess or worry over. She should’ve put two and two together that Cal may know Nina’s father or at least of him, but was too focused on the day ahead. She hated her reasons for coming had altered even a little, but was also glad to be with Cal and spend time with him. Beneath anger there was always hurt and this case was no different. But Fi was too tuned into the latter, at least right now. “She did?” Her expression softened and she looked at him and nodded, not realizing how off kilter she looked. “I’m okay, promise,” she grinned, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. The couple sat there for a little while, flirting, catching up. Grabbing the occasional heavy hors d'oeuvres off the floating trays weaving in and out of the space. Fi needed a lot more than that to counteract the champagne she’d drank and soon she was tipsy. The band slid into a slower song and she leaned into Cal, hope I’m her eyes. "I'll have to introduce myself." He looked around for both the bride and then Fi, but neither were in sight. "You should. Anyway, I'm off to the bar. See you Monday, yeah?" And with that Marina was gone and Cal was left to his own devices. Reaching yet again for his drink, he was happy to have some liquid courage in such a bustling social setting. Luckily, Fi was back soon after, though she seemed a little out of breath. "Huh? Oh yeah, she basically trained me. You alright, love? You look a little flushed."

There was 100+ guests at the reception, but all Fi saw was Cal. By now in their relationship, the conversation flowed freely, easily. She'd become quite fond of his self-deprecating humour, the way he flirted and teased her. So engrossed in it, she'd forgotten about the fact they (well she) weren't supposed to be there and laying low was her main MO. The champagne had her giddy and careless, more loose lipped than usual and when Cal agreed she all but beamed and took his hand, held onto it as an anchor as she playfully twirled herself around on their way to semi-crowded dance floor. Fi took his hand and looked up at him as he put a hand around her waist, smiling as well. "I'm the one with the heels on, love. But I promise to be gentle." She fell silent for a couple minutes as they danced, content in the quiet, but then she caught another whiff of his cologne and she dropped her hand from his and curled her arms around his neck, moving her body closer against his. "This is better, don't you think?" She lost track of how long they'd been dancing but out of nowhere a hand latched onto her arm and spun her away from Cal and yanked her off the dance floor. "What the - oh fuck," Fi muttered as she looked up into the angry face of Nina. "Fioretta, what the hell are you doing here? I uninvited you last week when I caught you sneaking around with Bryan!"
Fi's mouth dropped open and she cut a glare to Bryan standing a few feet away, deliberately avoiding her gaze. "Is that what you told her? You always were a bloody coward," she spat at him. "Nina, please, that's not what happened at all! He approached me to make you something special waiting for you in your honeymoon suite and -"
"Whatever, Fi. And did it ever occur to you, I don't want a woman at my wedding my husband has shagged?"
Fi scoffed, "Better take away at least twenty more guests then, babs." It was with mild fascination she watched Bryan's go pale as Nina's face turn red then nearly purple. And not for the first time in her life she thought Oh shit, I'm about to get hit but out of nowhere Bryan intervened and tugged Nina back. "Love, stop. C'mon, it doesn't matter anymore. It's done, it's time for the speeches. Fi, finish you drink and then you and your date leave," Bryan warned as he dragged Nina off.
"But, that's not, I didn't, dammit!" Fi cried out and ran a head down her face, completely forgetting about Cal in the moment.

For someone who wasn't the most comfortable with dancing, it didn't seem so bad with Fi. Partially because neither of them ended up stepping on each other's toes, but mostly because Cal almost always enjoyed himself when he was with her. As she pulled him closer, he wrapped his arms around her waist and ducked his head so his lips were near her ear. "Much better, I agree," he said softly. He was perfectly content to stay there the rest of the reception if someone let them. And, yet, that was apparently too much to ask because he was suddenly knocked off balance as Fi jerked away from him. Cal took a moment to steady himself, completely confused by what had just happened. Was that...the bride? Screaming in Fi's face? His first reaction was to interrupt whatever this dispute was, try to de-escalate whatever was going on, but then Nina yelled something about catching Fi with her husband and Cal took a step back. What in the hell was going on here? As the argument continued, he looked around, noticing everyone on the dance floor had stopped and was staring in their direction, mouths all agape. Even the band realized something was going on and the music came to a screeching halt. This was the stuff of Cal's nightmares and he felt his face growing hot as the two women continued to scream at one another. He watched it in what felt like slow motion as Nina raised her arm in what likely would have turned this into something much worse. Luckily Bryan interrupted just in time, which was good considering Cal was completely useless as he stood there frozen in shock. Once the couple had exited the scene, he stood there for what felt like forever, waiting for Fi to explain this all away as a some silly misunderstanding, but it never happened. The embarrassment of the whole situation was subsiding and now he was getting angry. Reaching forward, he grabbed her hand, tugging at her. "We need to go. Now," he said through gritted teeth. Without waiting for a response, he pulled Fi back through the crowds, making quick work of crossing the tent and finally finding the exit. As soon as they'd crossed through the opening, he spun around, anger very clear on his face. "What the bloody hell was that about?! You said you were invited! You said they were your friends! You slept with her husband last week!" Everything came flying out at once as he glared down at her.

The band indeed stopped (as if they wanted to listen in on Fi’s tongue lashing too) about the time Nina’s “sneaking around with Bryan” soared through the air, lingered above Fi’s head like an angry speech bubble of accusation. As the couple walked away, by the grace of Merlin, the band kicked in again with something energetic and upbeat, as if to dispel remnants of the awkward scene that’d just unfolded. Fi didn’t embarrass easily, but being shouted out by the irate bride in the middle of a reception and accused of adultery? That would do it! Her cheeks were red as her chest rose and fell rapidly from the confrontation. All eyes were on her, a mixture of anger, confusion and very little sympathy. From across the room she saw Lila and their gazes met, the other woman mouthing “I’m sorry!” ..and then there was the Cal factor. Before she could speak, she was dragged through the crowd, but unlike with Nina, she fought him every step of the way. “Stop! Cal, slow down! I can explain!” Heels skidding across the hardwood floor until they burst out of the tent. By now, the sun was well on its way to setting, would’ve been romantic if the circumstances had been different. Before Fi could find the right words, Cal spoke first. As she was once again accused of adultery, her head reeled back as if she’d been slapped. She knew he was angry, but how could he think…? “I was invited and they are, they were my friends! Bryan asked me to help him with a special dessert to put in their honeymoon suite and,” as Fi tried to explain herself, she shook her head, now angry and hurt. “You know what, Cal? Forget it, if you really think I’d fuck someone behind your back, a taken someone at that, if you think so little of me… just leave! Leave me alone!” She stood her ground, glared back up at him and then turned on her feet and stalked back into the tent. Fueled by alcohol and emotion, before anyone could stop her, she hopped up on a now empty stage and grabbed the mic from its stand, then tapped on it obnoxiously. “WhOoooO, this thing on? There we go! For those who don’t know me, I’m Fioretta Conti. You guys enjoying the cake? I sure as fuck hope so, because it came from my bakery!” She hiccuped but continued on before someone could stop her. “I just need to clear the air. I did not shag Bryan. Not recently anyway! But Nina here thinks I did all because she saw us coming out of my bakery together last week. And Bryan didn’t have the bullocks to tell her the truth because we’re not allowed to hang out since they started dating. AND THEN being the insecure cow she is, she UNINVITED me.”As Fi spoke, she paced and forth, waving her hands around. The guests let out an audible gasp and then a few titters here and there rose up.

How in the hell had they gone from peacefully dancing together to this in a matter of minutes? Cal couldn't believe any of this was happening. The arguing alone was one thing, but when he started piecing together the very few details he now had, it became infuriating. He knew he probably looked like a heathen, dragging Fi out of the reception as if she were a child, but he couldn't bring himself to care right now. It was one thing to be the center of attention for a good reason, but this? This was too much. If he'd stopped to think about it, he probably would have realized the accusations against her weren't in her character. But the problem was she'd lied to him about being invited, so who was to say she hadn't lied about everything else too? Cal suddenly felt it all boil over. The anger, the embarrassment, the shame of being involved in this even as just a bystander. His tuxedo felt suffocating and he reached up to loosen his tie before his hands dropped to his sides, fists clenching in frustration. "And then she uninvited you! And you knew it! Who in their right mind shows up somewhere they're explicitly not wanted?!" He couldn't believe they were even having this conversation--well, shouting match--right now. No where in his brain could he fathom how showing up today was a logical choice for her. "I don't bloody well know if you'd fuck someone behind my back, Fioretta! I sure as hell didn't think you'd lie to me about a damn wedding you aren't invited to either!" Cal knew better than to think Fi would cheat on him, especially with a now married man, but he was too blinded by his anger to see straight now. "And for fuck's sake! Nina's dad is on the board at the bank! Did you even think of that? I could lose my fucking job over this!" The thought had suddenly dawned on him and he turned away from her, running a hand over his face in shock. "Over a decade of work in the fucking bin because you couldn't just stay home!" he muttered to himself before whipping around to face her. But she was gone. He saw the tent flap sway a little and knew she'd gone back inside. He had a choice to make now. He could just leave her. Honestly no one would have blamed him. But how could he leave her? What if she got herself into even more trouble? Cal visibly battled with this decision for about five seconds before outwardly groaning and stomping back into the tent after her. He didn't have to look hard for her, though, because she was already on stage, microphone in hand. "Oh hell no," he muttered, pushing his way through the wedding guests once again and coming to stand at the side of the stage, staring up at her in horror. Every word she said just made him even more angry and embarrassed, wincing as she called the bride a cow. That was enough for Cal, the reaction from the crowd only sealing the deal. He caught Fi's eye as she turned in his direction and shook his head. "I'm leaving," he mouthed to her, anger still written on his face and he spun on his heal and marched out of the tent for the last time.

Cal's word were harsh, but not completely undeserved, at least some of them. Fi had lured him here under false pretenses. Looking back, she should've been honest, but what if he'd cancel their date? She'd been selfish, wanting two things to coexist when it was becoming quickly, blatantly obvious they couldn't. Still, she was angry and it fueled her once again, very foolish decision. As she ranted and raved on stage like a goddamn lunatic his words continued to echo her head. I could lose my fucking job over this!. Could he? I don't bloody well know if you'd fuck someone behind my back, Fioretta! Didn't he? As the laughter and gasps faded she looked out into the sea of faces and saw Nina and who she assumed was her father making their way to the stage. The gravity of the situation hit her for first time in the evening. She looked up at Cal long enough to see him mouth goodbye and storm out. "I'm, I, I'm sorry. I'm a moron," she stuttered into the mic and then it fell from her hand onto the stage with a loud thunk and Fi scrambled off the stage and ran out of the tent into the night air. Guilt and shame burned hotly inside her and a result of that were tears running down her cheeks, no doubt ruining her carefully applied make up. "Idiot," Fi whispered to herself as she angrily wiped them away and took a deep breath to collect herself. There wasn't anything she could do now with Nina and Bryan but Cal. Before thinking it through (shocker), she squeezed her eyes shut and disappeared seconds later to arrive directly in front of his door. With a great inhale, she knocked tentatively on the door once, then twice. "Callum? It's Fi, can I please come in?" Cal half hoped Fi would instantly figure out what she was doing was wrong and run after him, but the other half of him just wanted out of there. He barely made it out of tent before disapparating directly back to his flat, not even hearing Fi's apology through the mic. To suddenly be away from the buzzing energy of the crowd was a bit shocking and he stood in his living room for a few moments after the fact, trying to steady himself and make sense of what had just happened. It didn't work. Completely untying his tie now, he left it loose around his neck before unbuttoning the top button of his shirt. For the first time he felt like he could take a breath. His next thought was that he needed another drink, so he poured a tall glass of whiskey before falling back onto the sofa with a sigh. Of course he knew that Fi was...well, more adventurous than him. But he had no clue that her idea of an adventure was to sneak into a wedding and then cause a scene like that. He'd never seen that side of her until today and it had obviously made him uncomfortable. His accusation that he could lose his job was probably a bit of a stretch, or so he bloody well hoped. The entire situation seemed impossible now though, almost like it was a nightmare, and he couldn't make any sense of it. He was finishing off his first drink (well, at home at least) and pouring himself another when the knock came at the door. Upon hearing Fi's voice, he let out a deep breath, both annoyed and a little relieved she was there. At least she hadn't been arrested for ruining the wedding. Cal crossed the room and swung the door open wide, not bothering to give her a proper greeting. "Did they finally kick you out?" he asked coldly, but still stepping aside so she could come in. Just as he didn't know why he showed up at her shop that night months ago, he wasn't quite sure why he was letting her in tonight, but he just couldn't seem to turn her away.

The Cal right now was a far cry from the one who first greeted her earlier in the night. Gone was the smile, the compliments, the look on his face that showed he was genuinely happy to see her. Fi couldn't blame him and yet a part of her was still angry at the accusation he leveled at her. But she tried to swallow it down and humble herself, a bit grateful he even let her in his flat to begin with. Part of her expected he wouldn't let her in or worse, slam the door in her face just to put her in her place. It wasn't her first time here, but the circumstances were quite different from the last. They'd barely made it through the door, busy hands eagerly tearing at clothing as they kissed and embraced. The room felt as cold and empty as Cal's greeting and she visibly winced. Fi walked in and settled down on the couch, feeling a bit ridiculous in her dress as she looked up at him, like a child in a party dress about to be yelled at for misbehaving. "No, I left. Cal, I'm really sorry. I should've told you about everything from the get go. I guess I was worried you wouldn't go, not that that's an excuse," she rushed to add. Her gaze fell and she fidgeted with her hands in her lap, anxiously twirling the ring on her middle finger around. "The bride, Nina, she didn't want me and Bryan hanging out after they started dating, which is.. anyway. We both respected her wishes but then he contacted me and wanted me to make this really special surprise dessert for their honeymoon suite, but when we were coming out of my shop she saw us and it just escalated so quickly. And he clearly didn't defend me because next thing I knew I was uninvited." One of Fi's hands fisted the material of her skirt and she sounded wounded, almost sad. "I was angry and hurt and just...I did their engagement cake. I spent three days working on it. I charmed a marzipan songbird to fucking sing their wedding song. I've known her for years and just like that, I was done, out of her life, like it was an easy decision. Anyway, so that's what happened..."

While Cal was very much angry about the entire situation, he also wasn't a total jerk. While this all probably wasn't completely out of character for Fi, it wasn't something he dealt with on a regular basis, if ever. If he'd been uninvited from a wedding he would have simply not gone. But she obviously had other plans. Unfortunately, those plans had effected him in, hopefully, a small way. Though the verdict was still out if his job was at jeopardy or not. As Fi walked in, he closed the door behind him, resisting the urge to slam it. She seemed more subdued than he left her. He didn't know how to read her in this moment though, realizing he probably didn't know her all that well yet after today's happenings. Cal was a little relieved that she lead with an apology. For some reason he hadn't been expecting one at all and it caused his demeanor to soften, but only slightly. "Well, yeah, if you'd told me you were no longer invited of course I wouldn't want to go, Fi. Who wants to go somewhere they aren't wanted?" he asked incredulously. The whole concept of wanting to show up at the wedding made no sense to him. Still, he continued to listen as she explained, sitting down on the opposite end of the couch from her. He couldn't blame her for being upset and hurt by what her so-called friends had done. It sounded like they were a match made in heaven at this point. But still. A screaming match at their wedding and then that speech over the microphone? Taking a deep breath, he sat back on the sofa and crossed his arms over his chest. "Look, they sound like the bloody worst mates, and I know you're upset. I don't blame you, but did you ever consider sending them a bloody howler or something? I mean was going scorched-earth the only way to handle this, Fi?" he questioned with a shake of his head. "I'm sorry for accusing you of cheating with a married man, alright? I didn't know what to believe after all of this, but I know that's not the kind of person you are." Cal was torn between feeling sorry for her and also still being angry. "Fuck, though, Fi. I've never introduced anyone I've dated to a colleague before tonight and then you go and do something like this? Who knows what Marina will say on Monday. And then Nina's dad. I hope he didn't know who I was..." He trailed off, knowing full well he was being selfish by worrying about his job, but it was the one constant in his life. The one thing that made sense to him. "Did you even think how this would effect other people?" he asked with a sigh.

Fi had never seen Cal mad, well ever. Nor had she seen him truly annoyed or irritated with her. They were still in honeymoon stage of it all, the first flush where it's new and exciting and the possibility of a row didn't exist, perish the thought! "That's...yes, alright," she acknowledged with a defeated tone. As Fi began to (quite unfortunately) sober up, the entire evening clicked into focus and when she mentally took a step back she seemed well, mental herself. Who does go to a wedding they're not invited to? Apparently Fioretta Conti, that's who. Cal laid it all out for her in plain black and white and as much as she hated to admit it, he was right. Fueled by anger and hurt she'd gone scorched earth without a second thought. Did you even think how this would effect other people? Well, no. She allowed her emotions to rule a lot of her life's decisions (good and bad) and this wasn't the first time nor would it be the last. Fi was impulsive and mischievous, but rarely malicious, except for tonight, apparent. The shame she felt onstage returned full force once again and she hung her head, contrite and guilty. For a woman who had plenty to say in front of an unwilling audience it was quite the contrast. "I can talk to her if you want, explain you had nothing to do with it," she offered quietly, knowing he wouldn't but wanted to offer it all the same. Her hands let the fabric of her dress fall to the floor and she rose, wiping them on it before running one through her hair in frustration. At herself, the situation as whole. Maybe this was as mistake, maybe she was wrong for him. Too unpredictable and in this case, selfish. Who could blame him? She'd been a shit show tonight. "I'm really sorry, Callum. I understand and no hard feelings," unable to meet his gaze, "Can I um, is it alright if I just get the few things I left here? My cookbooks?"

It took Cal a lot to get truly angry, or at least express that anger. Apparently a roundabout threat to his career and causing a scene in public were triggers. Still, as he sat and watched Fi reeling over what she'd just done, he felt bad for her. It was clear she'd wound herself up and acted without thinking. Hadn't everyone done that before? Well, maybe not in the way of ruining someone's wedding reception, but still. Sighing, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, a little closer to Fi now. "You don't have to talk to her. I'll explain it on Monday. Say you had too much to drink or something." He really wasn't sure how he'd smooth this one over, but hopefully it wouldn't be too big of an issue. Maybe, with luck, Marina had gone home early. Cal was surprised when she suddenly stood up, so much so that he instinctively did the same. He wasn't quite sure what she was doing, but he knew he didn't want her to leave yet. For some strange reason. The look on his face as she asked for the things she'd left in his flat was complete confusion. "Are you...is this it?" he asked, obviously in shock. Even knowing the chaotic turn the evening had taken and the way he'd stormed out of the reception, the thought of breaking up hadn't entered his brain. At least not yet. But now she'd apologized and realized what she'd done and she was just going to leave? "Wait...you don't--you don't have to do that. If you don't want, I mean. I guess I can't stop you. I just, I'm sorry for the way I reacted."

"I mean you're not wrong," Fi conceded with a sheepish shrug. Alcohol no doubt contributed to her foolish actions tonight. She came here to explain herself and apologize, didn't want Cal to think poorly of her when he thought of her. Fi rarely thought of the consequences of her own actions and tonight was proof of it. She ran on emotion and was too impulsive for her own good. She was loud and outspoken and overwhelming and swung between knowing she was too much and needed to change while also being comfortable in her skin and anyone who didn't like it could jog on. But now she lost two things tonight: her dignity and Cal. The realization of the latter made her stomach twist into tight, compact knots and if she didn't regret her actions before, she definitely did now. They just got started and now... Fi needed to leave. She didn't want him seeing her upset, she could have him owl the cookbooks later, it didn't matter in the long run, did it? So convinced he didn't want to see her anymore, she looked at him in surprise not quite understanding at first. "Don't you? I mean, I was absolutely dreadful tonight," she fell back on the couch, confused as well now, he was apologising to her? "I just assumed you were done with all this," she said, motioning down herself.

Where Fi rarely thought of the consequences of her actions, Cal was often frozen thinking of his own. He knew he was uptight, an overplanner, an overthinker. So none of what she'd done tonight made any sense to him. But he also knew that his way of operating could be too much for some. Too focused, set in his ways and one track minded. He certainly never wanted to squash Fi's spirit, though, with his own personality it almost felt inevitable. Still...he wasn't ready for her to walk out of his life, so the idea of it hit him like a ton of bricks. Letting out a sigh of relief when she sat back down, he joined her, but this time sat on the coffee table facing her, their knees touching. "You were dreadful tonight," he admitted, a small smile playing on his lips. That part was partially true. He'd seen a not-so-great side of her that night, but didn't everyone have those? "But I had fun in between all of your screeching at the bride and groom. And...I don't know. It's not like wedding crashing is a full time hobby of yours or something. It isn't...right?" The way Cal looked at it was that this was a once in a lifetime situation. Surely Fi didn't do this often. Of course, future Cal would look back at this thought and laugh. Because it was Fi and chaos seemed to follow in her wake. But it was often good trouble and not ruin-someone's-special-day trouble. "If you need out though, I get it. I'm rubbish in a huge social setting like that as it is. Add in conflict and I don't handle stuff like that well. So...if you want to go, I won't stop you. But I also don't want that to happen," he admitted, the closest he'd gotten to talking about feelings in awhile.

Fi sat on his couch, brow still furrowed in confusion. After all that went on today; the lie, the reckless disregard for anyone but herself, why on earth would Cal still want to date her? Oh and let’s not forget about the screaming match she got into with Nina and her drunken, rambling speech in front of the entire reception..fuck, it sounded twice as bad when she sat there and ran through the day in her mind. Embarrassed, she buried her face in her hands about the time Cal sat down in front of her. The gentle bump of his knees against hers made Fi look up, once again surprised because the expression on his face had changed completely. The coldness was gone, replaced by the hint of a smile? “I didn’t screech, I’m not a barn owl,” she huffed, but her lips briefly quirked into a small smile as well. “No, this is the first wedding I’ve crashed.” Fi wanted to promise him this would be the last mishap she'd drag him into. But contrary to today's events, she didn't like to lie. A bit of chaos always existed in her world. It'd been some time since Fi had been in a relationship, forced to care about someone's feelings other than her own. Not to say she was inconsiderate, but after a while you fell into the habit of being the only one to suffer the consequences of a bad decision. She didn’t want to end things, quite the opposite. But, they were so different. But dammit, it’d been working out beautifully, hadn't it? “No. I don’t want to stop. I missed you while you were away and I’ve gone and mucked up our day together and wasted so much of it when we could’ve been doing something else. I don't need you to love social settings, I just wanted you to be there with me.” Whereas Cal didn’t enjoy talking about feelings, often Fi couldn’t seem to stop hers from bubbling up. She took one of his hands and threaded their fingers together. “But I accidentally ruined a friend’s surprise birthday party once. And I got banned from a pub one night because my friends and I kept dancing on the bar. And I can be needy and demanding when I want all your attention. But…I really like you."

There was no doubt that everything Fi had pulled that night was a big deal. But Cal also knew that she was remorseful about it and he'd never experienced anything like it with her before now. He may not have been able to relate to her reaction, but he wasn't completely heartless. "Oh there was screeching. Especially when you called her...what was it? An insecure cow. Yeah, I think that was it." By now it was fully clear that he was teasing her, deciding he much preferred her smiling over her looking so pitiful and wallowing over the events of the day. "Next time you invite me to a wedding though? I'm going to need contact information for the bride and the groom so I can verify it." Cal knocked knees with her again, this time playfully. He could feel the tension in his shoulders ease as she assured him she didn't want to break up. It wasn't often that he let himself dwell on his feelings about much of anything, but all of this had made him realize that he definitely felt the same as Fi. "I missed you too," he admitted, the words feeling a bit strange to say out loud. Cal and Fi seemed to be two heads of the same coin in nearly every aspect. His ability to express himself and his emotions was more than a little stunted. Still, he smiled when she took his hand, rubbing his thumb over her own. For the first time all night, he let out a laugh as she confessed her previous sins. He hadn't been expecting that at all and yet he wasn't surprised. "You couldn't pay me to dance on a bar and if you ever throw me a surprise party I'll kill you. But I don't think you're all that needy or demanding, love. I really like you too." Cal felt both uncomfortable admitting this and also a little relieved to have finally said it. "And I'm glad you don't want your cookbooks back because I've been using them as a doorstop in my room," he said with a grin.

Fi was spouting out warning labels about herself when it was far too late for Cal. The surprise birthday party hadn't been her fault. She was told about when she was five ciders into an evening out and the details were murky and unforgettable. So when her friend was thirty minutes late to the birthday party and she was outside smoking she blurted out - "Late to your own party? Rude as hell." And the rest was history. A lot of dammit Fis and the promise to never tell her anything. The air no longer crackled with tension and as Cal relaxed, she followed suit, especially when he began teasing her again. This time, when he nudged her with his knees, he was rewarded with a full blown (abashed) Fioretta smile. She shook her head at her antics and groaned, "Fuck, I did, didn't I?" but followed up with a quiet "Well, she is. Oh, we have a wedding next week, I forgot to tell you. I'm definitely not invited but I think if we dress in all black...and I can figure out some concealment charms..."
"You did?" Her question was rhetorical and she didn't expect Cal to return his sentiment but it made her smile again. They'd found a balance it seemed, despite their glaring differences. He didn't want to end things and the relief she felt was nearly tangible. "You do?" Fi exhaled softly and scooted closer to him and then thought oh, sod it and made the easy transition from the couch to his lap. She reveled in being close to him and when they were out together never let him stray too far without some physical contact. She snickered and kissed his cheek, "I'm going to teach you how to cook something one day, Cal Sinclair," then nuzzled his neck. "You wanna go to a pub since we're all dressed up? Or we could stay in?"

Post Wedding Gringott's Event

While Cal reluctantly found himself at fancy events a couple times a year, they were almost always expected. Between the cursebreakers banquet every spring and the holiday event held by the bank, he'd grown accustomed to putting on a nice suit or tux and schmoozing with his colleagues for the mandatory two hours. Generally, he excused himself as soon as possible, preferring to go home and read or do more work. A handful of times, over the last decade, he'd brought whoever he was seeing along with him, but even that didn't ease the awkwardness all that much. He found his coworkers too nosy or his date too eager to stay longer than he liked. Going alone had always been the easiest route. But tonight his usual rules were already out the window. While his immediate supervisor's retirement was not a surprise, the elaborate party the bank was hosting certainly was. The idea of it all made Cal uneasy, but, unlike in the past, knowing he could bring Fi along eased his mind a little. He'd yet to find anything that she didn't make more fun, so he was more than a little relieved when she enthusiastically agreed to come along. At first, Cal assumed the retirement party to be casual, but after discussing it with several of his coworkers he realized it was much grander than he expected. So he opted for a suit and tie for the occasion. The event was being held at a nearby banquet hall and everyone had been whispering about how outlandish it would be, but it wasn't until he arrived with Fi on his arm that he realized how much truth there was behind it. In spite of being indoors, the room gave off the impression of being outside. It was beautiful, yes, but Cal couldn't help but be a little overwhelmed by all of it. There seemed to be 50 round tables scattered throughout along with hundreds of people there to wish Georgina Holloway a happy retirement. For a moment Cal wondered if anyone would have even noticed if he'd stayed home. Staying in with Fi would have been a lot more fun than this. But it was too late for that. He flashed Fi a nervous smile and reached out to take her hand. "Drinks first and then we find our table, yeah?" After finding one of the many open bars, the pair maneuvered their way through the busy room before finally locating their seats. Cal was relieved to see several of his coworkers already sitting around the table. No awkward chit chat with strangers tonight. He pulled out Fi's chair before sitting down next to her. Cal wasted no time introducing her to everyone, letting them know they'd been dating for two months now. He didn't notice the raised eyebrows or smirks shared between his colleagues as he did this. In his mind, he couldn't fathom why anyone would care who he was or wasn't dating, but it was clear to everyone else that they were all intrigued by this news. Especially Ava, a tall, dark skinned woman with long, silky hair sitting next to him. After he'd made it around the table, she rested her elbow on the table and leaned forward to peer around Cal. "Fi? You have to tell us how you two met. I'm not sure Cal's ever mentioned a girlfriend before," she said, her tone both warm and also a little amused.

For the first time since she and Cal started dating, Fi was nervous about their evening out. Not because of Cal (a couple months in, she still hadn’t lost the jittery, giddy excitement she felt around him), but where they were going. The last time they went to a large public event together had been disastrous. Much to her surprised relief, Cal hadn’t ended things and Fi’s outlandish antics at the wedding became fodder, a story he often teased her about. She had also been lucky his colleague had left early before she played witness to Fi’s drunken, mic’d up rambling. As the two entered the banquet hall she leaned up and whispered in his ear, “I promise I’ll be on my best behavior,” probably. The night hadn’t even gotten started after all and Fi was still well, Fi. But this wasn’t some casual meet up with Cal's friends. Even though the couple was there for a party, it was filled with all of his colleagues. The last thing Fi wanted was to embarrass him. She tangled their fingers together, smiled back and squeezed his hand. Cal’s nerves were almost tangible and hell, he probably knew nearly every single person in attendance. Fi knew by now he disliked large crowds of people. “Sounds good love,” she nodded, then briefly kissed him on the cheek. “I’ve already spotted a few dark corners I plan on taking you later.” Though Fi wanted a whiskey, she settled on champagne and as the duo wove a path to their table her eyes flit around the large banquet hall, clearly in awe of the lavish setting. It was somehow both formal and ethereal. The two sat down at the table and Fi immediately scooted her chair closer to his. A hand on settled on his thigh beneath the table as she crossed her legs and absently tugged at the hemline of her dress. He might have missed the looks passed around the table like a game of telephone, but Fi didn’t. She even met one of the looks with a smile and a raised eyebrow of her own. Fi took a big sip of her champagne and laughed at Ava’s probing, but friendly question which had seemed to pique everyone’s interest. Even now, she often marveled at Cal’s lack of a love life before her. He was smart, funny, too damn handsome for his own good - only to feel thankful he hadn’t been taken when they met. “Is that so?” She grinned and teased him “keeping me a secret, hm?” Ava chuckled as someone else chimed in, a male in his 40s with a handlebar mustache and wild, curly hair, “We’ve just never really seen him out with someone, that’s all.” Fi shrugged, “Guess he was just waiting to meet me. We met when he came into my shop, I had a cursed AGA and his sister in law asked him to take a look at it as a favor for me. And for nearly a week, I talked his ear off and annoyed the hell out of him,” her words made Ava laugh again. And with an affectionate look his way, Fi said “I was shocked when he came back, but happy.”

Cal would be lying if the wedding incident hadn't come to mind when he invited Fi along tonight. It was their last and only formal event before this and it had ended...poorly, to say the least. And while Cal had been completely mortified at the time, he'd come to understand Fi a little bit more since then. In spite of her sometimes behaving in ways he would never behave, he also had no interest in shaming her for it. The way he looked at it, they got along so well because they were so different. So why would he attempt to change her? He'd had plenty of experiences with women trying to do the same to him and it never ended well. But Fi was different in that respect too. She knew how awkward he could be in these settings and never once made him feel stupid for it. She just simply tried to ease his mind by encouraging him and cracking jokes here and there. All that to say, Cal was very grateful for her hand in his tonight. He grinned at the mention of dark corners. "You have no idea how difficult it is not to have my hands all over you in that dress," he replied playfully as both took their glasses of champagne and headed to their table. And there the barrage of questions from his colleagues seemed to happen immediately. It annoyed Cal once he realized just how interested they were in his relationship with Fi. In his mind it didn't make sense to bring up his love life at work. What did that have to do with cursebreaking anyway? Just as he found people mid-job discussing their weekend plans or some wild party they went to off-putting, so was this. But he had to remind himself they were at a party themselves now and it probably wasn't all that uncalled for to discuss things other than their latest project. Even though that project was loads more interesting than who was shagging who, in Cal's opinion. He grimaced when Fi eluded to him keeping her secret. It couldn't be further from the truth, of course. "I just talk about work at work is all," he muttered, hoping she wasn't too annoyed with him. It had truly never dawned on him to mention Fi at work before now. Cal felt his cheeks grow hot as she quipped about waiting to meet her. Not because he was embarrassed, but because he actually did feel that way. Being with someone had never felt so easy or right before Fi. He flashed her a quick smile to show his agreement with her retelling of how they met, hand coming down to squeeze hers under the table and not moving again. "I felt badly for getting frustrated with her, so I went back to apologize. We've been together every since," he added, not wanting it to seem like a one-sided story. Next to him, Ava laughed appreciatively over the story, her hand coming down to rest on Cal's other forearm that sat on top of the table. It was a gesture that had happened before with her in the office or on a job site, so Cal didn't think much of it. "That sounds just like Callum. Too caught up in work to notice a beautiful woman like you," she said, her words directed to Fi as she gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "A cursed AGA, you said? What do you do for a living, Fi? Are you a waitress? Oh! Maybe a hostess at a restaurant?"

“Oh, I have some idea,” Fi replied to his comment about her dress. “I have a face, Cal,” but she was clearly teasing as she leaned up and whispered, “I like it when you look, but even more when you touch.” The two were different in so many ways, but their relationship definitely didn’t suffer from lack of chemistry. When Cal joked about skipping the event to stay in for the night, Fi briefly considered it. While Cal didn’t understand why his colleagues were fascinated with his love life, Fi did. Her shop was often ripe with gossip and tea spilling and she was guilty of indulging in it. And just because Gringott’s was a more esteemed business didn’t mean it was spared from those human tendencies. Had she worked with him, there was no doubt she’d be one of the ones speculating about the handsome, quiet cursebreaker who was mysteriously still single. “I know love,” Fi murmured quietly as she caught Cal’s eye and smiled so he could see she wasn’t annoyed in the least. “He’s just with me for the extra mushy peas when we go out for fish ‘n chips.” She welcomed the warmth of his hand and held it. He may have seemed hesitant in other aspects of his life, but he gave away his affection for her freely and she loved it. She knew he also needed physical touch when he was feeling anxious. …and apparently so did Ava. Fi’s eyes immediately fell to the woman’s hand on Cal’s arm. Then she silently counted in her head (Mississippi-ly of course). Five seconds was friendly, more than five was wanting to fuck territory. Fi wanted to give Ava the benefit of the doubt but this woman was exceeding ten seconds while simultaneously testing her patience. And then came the question she knew Ava intended as an insult, a way to diminish her. This witch… Fi thought as she took another gulp of champagne then gave Ava a sweetly deceptive smile. “I’m not, but when I was living in France, I did both and I enjoyed it. I think everyone should work some sort of customer service job at least once in their life,” a couple other people at the table nodded in agreement, and Fi gave Ava a look, “teaches you manners, don’t you think? I own my own bakery, it’s called The Witching Flour. Cal loves the chocolate croissants. I bet he’d eat my chocolate croissants all day and night if I let him. You should come by sometime Ava.” Fi calmly lifted her champagne glass and finished it off then shifted her attention to Cal, deliberately tugging playfully on his tie for their benefit and for Ava's as well. "Another drink? I want to dance and I know you need at least two to even consider it."

It wasn't that talking about Fi and his relationship with her made Cal uncomfortable. He felt confident in what they had together, which was something he couldn't always say about women he dated in the past. Oftentimes dating felt precarious, but with Fi it was natural. Yet he also felt protective of what they had, so sharing too many details went against his nature. As much time as he spent with his colleagues, they weren't going home with him at the end of the night. As much as Ava seemed to hope otherwise (not that Cal even realized this of course.) While the other woman's hand on him wasn't totally off-putting, the longer he sat there, one hand in Fi's and another arm held by Ava, the more uncomfortable he became by it. Why did she keep it there for so long? It didn't make much sense to Cal at all. Ava's question of what Fi did for a living seemed innocent enough, but it quickly became apparent that perhaps he wasn't reading the situation correctly. It certainly wouldn't be the first or the last time that happened. As Fi corrected her assumption about her occupation, Cal was relieved to feel Ava's hand fall away from his arm. He noticed that she dropped it in her lap and sat up a little straighter as Fi spoke. His eyes darted between the two women and he suddenly felt a little nervous. What was going on here? As the awkwardness washed over him, he reached for his own champagne and finished the glass in one gulp. "There's nothing better than her chocolate croissants," he agreed innocently, not even picking up on the innuendo. "You should really stop by. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Maybe I'll bring some up to the office next week?" "Oh I'm sure they're lovely," Ava said, her tone colder than before. "Cal, I'd love it if you brought me some." She flashed a smile at him before sitting back in her chair and nudging him lightly with her foot under the table. Fi's tug on his tie couldn't have come at a better moment. It snapped him completely out of his confusion, and her suggestion for another drink was the perfect excuse to get the hell out of there. "Hmm? Yes, let's get another," he agreed instantly, pushing his chair out and waiting for her to stand as well. As they worked their way over to the bar, he took her hand once again and squeezed it gently, hoping she wasn't too put off by Ava just then. He was going to check in with her about it as they got in line, but a young man he knew as Warren made eye contact with him and smiled. "Sinclair, how's the cursebreaking business? Much more exciting than the downstairs, I'm sure," Warren said jovially, reaching out to shake his hand. "Who's this with you?" Warren's eyes lit up at the sight of Fi as he reached a hand out to her as well. "Oh, uh. This is Fioretta Conti. Fi, this is Warren Inglewood. He works for the bank in the accounting department."

Fi was an open book while Cal barely offered people a glimpse into the prologue of his life. But he seemed to have no interest in demanding she tone down her personality. Not even after their disastrous wedding date and that meant a lot to Fi, more than Cal would ever know. So tonight she wanted to truly be good for him. Oh, she’d still be herself, but if there was a microphone and stage in the vicinity she’d stay far away from it. And she’d get on with his colleagues, reminding herself it was Cal who would have to deal with them after tonight, not her. But Ava was already pushing Fi’s buttons. She wanted to give the other woman benefit of the doubt. Fi thought of how friendly she was with people. She joked around, innocently flirted with males and females alike. So as her hackles rose, she told herself to give Ava some grace, but then the woman’s hand stayed on Cal’s arm for nearly thirty Mississippi-ly counts and she fought the urge to snatch Ava’s hand off and tell her to jog on. Fi’s nearly visceral reaction to another woman showing an interest in Cal momentarily caught her off-guard, but was quickly cast aside to put Ava in her place as nicely as possible. Cal was clueless to the underlying message in Fi’s words but as she slipped into girl code, Ava picked up on it and her dark eyes narrowed in understanding as she flipped a bit of her hair over a bare shoulder while dismissing Fi as she spoke directly to Cal. I bet you’d like him to bring you some, you cow. If Ava was trying to be discreet with her playful foot nudge (she wasn’t and Fi’s shoulders stiffened), she failed miserably. “I’ll bring some by next week before Cal and I have lunch, Eva,” Fi offered with another saccharine smile before the couple left the table. Did they actually have a lunch date next week? Didn’t matter, they sure as fuck did now! The tension in her shoulders melted away when Cal took her hand again. Fi wasn’t surprised he was (mostly) ignorant to Ava’s flirtations. One of the qualities she liked about him was his complete lack of awareness when it came to his looks. He was humble, at times even shy when Fi complimented him. If Cal asked about Ava, she was ready to shrug it off (not wanting to make him uncomfortable) and lie, but they were interrupted. “Fioretta? Oh, Fi, I thought you looked familiar! I come into your shop all the time. Been out of town, hope you didn’t miss me too much.” Warren announced with a wide grin. Fi took his hand and shook it briefly, not noticing how he held on a few beats longer than necessary as the trio moved up in line. “Warren, hi! It has been a while,” she smiled back patiently, “I was wondering why my blueberry muffin sales have plummeted,” Fi added as Warren laughed a bit too loudly at her not that funny joke. She threaded an am through Cal’s and squeezed his bicep and then they were next in line and Warren ordered drinks for the two of them without including Cal. “Hi, and can you add a firewhiskey to that too,” she added, making the decision he probably needed something stronger. From there the trio parted with Warren saying goodbye to them and adding he wanted to talk to Fi later about catering something. Back at the table, the three course meal kicked off. Ava took advantage of Cal sitting beside her and often tried to steer him into work conversations, knowing there was very little Fi could contribute. She was midbite when out of the corner of her eye she saw Ava’s hand come down again to rest on Cal’s forearm with a tinkling laugh of “Callum, you’re too much!” Fi swallowed hard and set the fork back down on her plate very carefully and reached for her napkin, politely dabbing at her mouth. “Eva, you know, you guys have been talking shop all night. I’d love to know more about you. Cal’s never mentioned you. Why are you here by yourself? That has to be on purpose, you’re stunning! I’m sure there’s a line of eligible single blokes just dying to take you out. What about work?” At this Fi rested her chin in a hand and looked at Ava innocently, “Anyone there catch your eye?” Across from them, one of Cal's co workers nearly choked on their drink at Fi's question.

Cal went from having whiplash between Fi and Ava's quips to one another to being a little annoyed to have bumped into Warren. It was like he couldn't even get a single moment to enjoy Fi's company without some colleague interrupting. Staying home would have been so much better. Still, he cut Warren some slack when he realized he frequented the shop, at first only half-registering how long he held onto Fi's hand. It wasn't until they all made their way through the queue that Cal realized Warren wasn't addressing him at all. He'd all but blocked him out of the conversation...and then only ordered two drinks? Cal could feel the annoyance bubbling up in him and was so distracted by this foreign emotion that he didn't even register Fi tacking on a firewhiskey for him. As they waited for their drinks, he watched as Warren somewhat discreetly looked Fi up and down and Cal could feel his frustration build. When he finally said his goodbyes, Cal began to follow her back to their table, but paused to look over his shoulder, only to see Warren watching Fi. The smirk on Warren's face all but sent him over the edge. This wanker was flirting with what was clearly Cal's date. And right in front of him at that! By the time they reached the table again, he'd forgotten all about the previous discussion with Ava. He was far too distracted by what had just happened, his heart pounding in his ears. Why was he so angry about this? It wasn't like Fi had reciprocated Warren's flirtation. And, honestly, was he even flirting? Maybe Cal was overreacting. Shaking his head, he took a long sip of whiskey before they settled in to eat dinner. It started off fairly uneventful, though he recognized how difficult it was to hold a conversation with Fi when Ava kept pulling his attention to her. Of course it was easy to get wrapped up in the topic of work and he probably droned on a little too long about it out of habit. But when Ava laughed loudly and touched him yet again, alarms finally went off in his head. She was hitting on him. And in front of Fi, no less. Cal winced as Fi addressed her by the wrong name for the second time. Knowing both Fi and how aggressive Ava could be, he could tell this wasn't going to end well. Ava wasted no time proving his point, as she leaned closer to Cal in order to answer Fi's many questions. He sat back in his chair so the two women could see each other better, but Ava stayed exactly where she was, her face not far from his. "Oh I tend not to bring dates to this sort of thing. This atmosphere is so overwhelming for outsiders," she said coolly yet calmly. "I'm sure he's mentioned me plenty and you just didn't realize it. We've worked together...what? Eleven years now, Callum? Just last year we had 16 assignments together actually. Just got back from one a week ago." Cal was both inwardly and outwardly cringing listening to this exchange. While Ava wasn't exactly lying, he also had no clue how many assignments they'd actually been on together. Probably not as many as she was describing. "Er...we've been on a few together, I suppose." He was almost afraid to look at Fi. Not because he was actually hiding anything from her, but because he was terrified that she might believe Ava over him.

She didn’t pick up on Cal's annoyance with with Warren. But Fi was too caught up with her own thoughts as visions of shoving Ava’s head face first down in her main course (ooh, and it had some sort of gravy too!) danced in her mind. She even breathed out a wistful sigh without realizing it and the dining companion on her other side (Helen, a lovely brunette in her mid-50s) leaned in to ask if she was okay. Fi merely nodded and dug into her own meal, but Ava’s voice had turned into a grating noise she was tired of hearing and robbed Fi of her usually healthy appetite. She didn’t begrudge Cal for getting a bit wrapped up in work chit chat, more of who he was chatting with. Though Fi didn’t interrupt them, (not wanting to give Ava the satisfaction) she kept her ears perked and half listening. In the meantime she held easy, lighthearted conversations with the other people at the table and yes, answered a couple more questions about her relationship with Cal before smoothly changing the subject. And in the midst of all of it: Ava’s cow-like behavior and Cal’s nosy colleagues, the two made time to talk quietly when they could, heads bowed towards one another, private smiles and softer words exchanged only the other person could hear, with Fi’s hand resting on his thigh most of the time. Whereas Ava made it crystal clear she felt threatened by Cal's date, all Fi saw was a woman who had all the audacity in the world to flirt and bat her eyelashes at her boyfriend. She felt disrespected and was torn between keeping her Italian temper under lock and key and telling Ava to back the fuck up and stop slinging her cat at her date because he wasn’t interested. Instead she leaned forward about the same time Cal leaned back and met Ava halfway, noting how the woman kept her face not far from his. “Is it overwhelming? I hadn’t really noticed, I’ve been getting on well with everyone, you’ve been too busy talking poor Cal’s ear off to notice,” Fi replied with a smile. She leaned back and squeezed Cal’s thigh once more, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Mm, no, he hasn’t. Eh, or maybe he has, I tend to only focus on the interesting parts of his trips when we chat about them. Or sometimes we're too busy catching up in other ways.” A genuine laugh bubbled up as she finished her glass of champagne. “Sixteen? You’ve been keeping track. That is adorable. A week ago, nope, didn’t mention you then either.” Fi then rose abruptly and looked down at Cal, “I’m going to get us another round of drinks, love. Eva, I’ll get you one too, you seem ratherthirsty.” She managed to keep her voice steady but as Fi walked off she muttered obscenities beneath her breath, her face and cheeks flushing red with irritation. In the line for drinks her ire was still stoked when Warren made another appearance and the two began chatting again. So caught up with the after dinner convo Fi hadn’t noticed the band appear and as they launched into a song, Warren tugged her wrist with a, “Quick dance? I’m sure Cal won’t mind!” She hesitated, not really wanting to dance with him, but this was a colleague of Cal’s, what if she came across as rude? She allowed herself to be led on the dancefloor and began to half heartedly dance and listen, but her eyes kept looking through the crowd for Cal (and Ava), suddenly wishing they had stayed home or gone out tonight on their own.

Everywhere they turned there seemed to be someone trying to interrupt Fi and Cal. Whether it was just to be nosy about them as a couple or full out flirting, Cal found all of this exhausting and frustrating. He always felt that way about social settings like this, but tonight he'd gotten there in record time. And now, as he sat between two women who very clearly wanted to claw each other's eyes out, the awkwardness was almost too much for him. He glanced around the room frantically as the two women swapped thinly veiled insults with one another, trying to find the nearest possible exit. Maybe they could just go down the street to the pub instead. Fish and chips sounded infinitely better than the food on his plate currently. Not that he could eat it if he wanted, what with Fi and Ava dueling directly over it. Cal was about to push his chair back, but Fi's hand coming down on his thigh held him in place. He vaguely noticed the looks going around the table. Some where amused, some concerned, all a little surprised. There was nothing that made him more uncomfortable than being the center of attention. He reached up to loosen his tie a little, feeling as though he might overheat. Cal knew he had to get out of there, but Fi beat him to it. He simply stared up at her as she announced she'd be getting drinks, unable to even form words other than to nod silently back at her. As she disappeared, he wondered if he should follow her. Maybe she needed some time to cool off? Was she mad at him? For bringing her here? For his coworker practically throwing herself at him? Cal glanced at Ava who somehow looked both smug and annoyed as she finally sat back in her chair and removed herself from his personal space. "She's quite spirited, isn't she?" she mused, though clearly sounded ruffled. Cal wasn't really listening though as he was too busy craning his neck to see exactly where Fi ran off to in hopes to follow her. When he finally spotted her near the bar again, he started to push his chair back before stopping abruptly. He watched as Warren approached her and then coaxed her to the dance floor. The only way to describe how Cal felt seeing this was pure shock. Was this really happening? Did this asshole really just ask his girlfriend to dance? As anger bubbled up in him again, he reached for his drink and drained it, never taking his eyes off the dance floor. Next to him, Ava's eyes followed in the same direction. He didn't notice the look of pure glee on her face when she saw what was happening. Ava leaned over and took hold of Cal's hand, her face close to his ear as she whispered, "Looks like she's found someone new. Come dance with me instead." Between her tugging on his hand and her voice in his ear, disgust washed over him. Cal turned to look at her, simultaneously yanking his hand out of her grip. "Fi is my girlfriend, Ava. You need to stop," he said sternly, finally pushing his chair back and standing. Without another word he stalked off in the direction Fi had originally headed, his gaze darting back to the dance floor as he approached the bar. He ordered a drink for both Fi and himself and then made his way to the edge of the floor. His jaw clenched as he watched Warren blatantly flirting with her, but he didn't move. He had to remember that his was a work event, after all. As the song came to an end, Cal pushed his way through the crowd and approached the pair. "There you are, love," he said, forcing a smile as he handed her the glass of champagne. "Warren, thanks for entertaining my girlfriend, but I'll take it from here."

Cal didn’t verbalize how uncomfortable he felt, but it was written all over his face and his body was tense and coiled, as if ready to leap into a dead sprint out of the banquet hall. Fi came with the best intentions. But all it took was one woman to derail them and she was never one to back down from anything. Ava had a lot of nerve as she tried to stake a claim over someone who so clearly didn’t belong to her and Fi was more than happy to put the woman in her place. It was just a shame Cal got caught in the crossfire of the two women as they practically spit and hissed at one another. Fi wasn’t surprised Cal had another bird interested in him (even a rude one like Ava), it was her own reaction which caught her off-guard. And as Warren led her around on the dance floor (he really was quite a good dancer, she noted absently), Fi struggled to maintain their conversation as she mulled over the intense aggravation Ava had evoked in her. “Hm, what was that? Sure, you can stop by Monday! Anytime after 11 would be good, when the morning rush dies down,” she smiled brightly up at Warren, amazed she was able to split her attention into so many different paths. Particularly when all she wanted was to be wrapped up in Cal’s. When Warren gave her a little spin it caught Fi off-guard and she nearly stumbled but managed to right herself and she caught sight of Ava leaning into Cal’s ear like a snake and she actually saw red. “This fucking… disrespectful…” Fi didn’t realize she’d even spoken the words aloud until Warren looked at her quizzically and she forced the scowl to fall from her face, “Sorry, you were saying.. You need two dozen muffins for a staff meeting Friday? Oh, no, I won’t be delivering them, I usually just owl them over.” Was the song almost over? And then a few seconds later it blessedly came to an end and she was face to face with Cal. Her relief turned into surprise when he called her his girlfriend and this time when her cheeks went slightly pink, it was with pleasure, not irritation. Unlike Ava, Warren got the hint and nodded with a step back and clapped Cal on the shoulder. “Your girlfriend’s quite the dancer, Cal. Take her for a spin.” Fi smiled back weakly and took the glass of champagne from his hand then stood there looking up at him, suddenly unsure what to say. “I don’t feel like dancing anymore.” She took his hand and led them off the dancefloor away from the crowd and to an empty table tucked away in the corner. Fi sat down and swigged from the glass again, still irritated about Ava and looked at him with with a rueful smile. “I don’t think Ava likes me very much. Did you two uh, ever date?” Knowing her tone was far from casual like she hoped it’d be. But goddammit, she needed to know.

Cal would have never predicted just how quickly the night would go off the rails. He felt horribly that this was Fi's first impression of Gringotts and his colleagues. In some ways, he figured everyone would be interested in knowing more about Fi, simply because he was so private at work. But this was far too much. He wondered if she'd ever go to something like this again. Even knowing he'd been to plenty of these events alone, he'd felt a sense of relief having Fi come along. She always seemed to make something more fun and, in turn, Cal feel a lot less awkward. But now he doubted it would ever happen again thanks to the display Ava made from the moment they met. Now that he realized exactly what she was playing at, a few instances in the past started to make a lot more sense. Her coming up with excuses to casually touch him, stopping by his office to ask simple questions and frequently requesting to be paired with him on jobs. All that time and Cal just thought she enjoyed working with him. He felt a little guilty for not seeing the signs before now, but not enough to apologize to her. Not after the things she'd said to Fi. And then there was Warren who Cal didn't know all that well, but never suspected he'd try to pick up his girlfriend. And that was what she was, right? His girlfriend? They'd been together a couple months now and saw each other frequently. Were they supposed to have a conversation about that before actually using the word? Cal had no clue, as if that wasn't already apparent. What he did know is that seeing Warren dancing with Fi made his bloody boil. His hands did not belong anywhere near her as far as Cal was concerned. Just watching the last minute of their dance drummed up sheer jealousy and, somehow worse, an irrational (he hoped) fear that someone might take her away from him. Until that moment, Cal hadn't realized just how much he truly liked Fi and the relationship they had. Perhaps more than any relationship before. And he sure as hell wasn't going down without a fight. Luckily Warren got the message and left quickly. Cal looked at Fi as she took a sip of drink, wondering but too afraid to ask what she was thinking. His shoulders slumped a little when she told him she didn't want to dance anymore. Not that he wanted to dance. Hell, normally he'd need several drinks to even consider it, but this time was different. She'd agreed to do it with Warren, but now didn't want to with him? Cal was still pondering it as she lead him through the crowd and to the empty table. He sat down and let out a deep breath, glad to be away from everyone finally. "Huh? No, never. I swear. We've just worked together a long time. I had no idea she...well, I'm not entirely sure what she was thinking tonight honestly. I'm really sorry about her, love. I told her off after you left." Frowning, his eyes darted around the room, suddenly worried Ava might pop back up again. Luckily she was no where in sight. "Warren's a nice guy. And he seemed like a good dancer, yeah?" he questioned, his own tone reflecting hers.

Whereas Cal wondered if Fi would ever accompany him to another work event, she worried this would be her first and last invite. While she hadn’t caused a wedding level debacle, she hadn’t gone quietly into the night. Why couldn’t she just grin and bear it? No, she had to get into a verbal sparring match because as usual, she let her emotions overrule everything else. Ava was a condescending, disrespectful twat but she was one of Cal’s colleagues he worked with quite often apparently. Another vicious streak of jealousy shot through Fi as she led them off the dance floor and she frowned. Now that dinner was over and people had food in their bellies, they were really taking advantage of the open bar. The band kicked up into a cover of some muggle pop song Fi vaguely recognized. Any other time she would be right there in the midst of the dance floor, but being alone with Cal in their little semi-secluded pocket away from it all was exactly where she needed and wanted to be. “You did?” Fi smiled at him, pleased he rebuked Ava. They hadn’t dated and as a wave of sweet relief spread through her, Fi turned her chair to face Cal’s and scooted closer to him until her bare knees grazed his slacks-covered ones. She took one of his hands in hers and curled her fingers around his. “Warren?” Fi’s expression was a bit confused and she shrugged. “He was, I guess? I didn’t want to dance with him, but I know he’s a colleague of yours and I didn’t want to be rude. Especially since I was thisclose to shoving Ava’s head face down in her main,” the words tumbled out before Fi could stop herself and she grimaced at her inability to just. shut up. “Sorry love,” she muttered and squeezed his hand then took another gulp of her champagne only to open her big mouth seconds later. “I got jealous,” she blurted out. “Ava is taller than me and beautiful and yes, she’s a cow but she’s obviously really intelligent. And you two work together all the time. And she kept...touching you, like you aren’t mine and I didn’t bloody like it,” Fi scowled at the memory as her tangent came to an end. “I mean,” she set the champagne down on the table and brushed some hair back from her face, suddenly a bit embarrassed. “Are you? I'm not seeing anyone else. We never really talked about it...” and he had called her his girlfriend but what if he had just said it in the heat of the moment? Fi was usually so confident and self-assured with men, but Cal had thrown her off her game. Mostly because of how much she really, really, liked him.

While Fi worried she'd overreacted, Cal couldn't blame her at all for standing up for herself. Ava had been relentless from the get go and, had Cal not been so shocked, he would have had the same reaction as Fi. Although he probably wouldn't have been as eloquent or as witty about it. He'd never been one for confrontation, but sometimes situations called for it. And tonight was one of those times. He wished he'd said more to Ava. Like how she could never do what Fi does for a living because she's rubbish at multitasking. Or that she wasn't even that great at cursebreaking and he practically had to carry her through every job they worked together. Or how he would never consider dating her for a million other reasons. All of these thoughts came rushing to him only now that the moment had passed. Why couldn't he be as quick on his feet as Fi had been? As they settled in at the empty table, Cal felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He should have stood up for Fi more than he did. "I mean, a little. I told her to stop and that you're my--I'm happy with you," he said, stumbling a little as he almost called her his girlfriend again. Even if it was OK, maybe she wouldn't want him to call her that now? Maybe she would prefer Warren. But before he could voice any of that, Fi was already brushing off that notion. Relief washed over him as she said she didn't actually want to dance with him. "You didn't have to dance with him if you didn't want, love. I'm sorry this has been such a disaster. Honestly? I think you handled it really well. All that rubbish Ava said was completely uncalled for." Fi's attempt at keeping her composure wasn't lost on Cal. He knew she could have easily (and justifiably) gone off on Ava in the same way she did at the wedding, but she didn't. And he was appreciative of that. Yet he also hated she'd been put in that position in the first place. When she finally admitted to being jealous, Cal let out a deep breath. It was nice to know he hadn't been the only one feeling that way. "I felt the same way about Warren," he admitted, a little sheepishly, resting his other hand over hers. In spite of all the craziness tonight, it seemed the two of them still managed to be on the same page. Both happy to be with one another, both jealous of someone else showing the other attention, both wondering if what they were doing wasn't more than just "dating" each other. "I'm not seeing anyone else either, love. And I have no interest in being with anyone but you." As difficult as it was for him to share his feelings with basically anyone, Cal knew this was an important conversation, so he pushed himself through it. "I was worried that maybe I called you my girlfriend a bit prematurely? But I would very much like it if you were mine." He smiled and gave a shrug as his fingers traced the back of your hand. "If that's what you want, of course."

Unfortunately, this wouldn’t be the first time the two of them would suffer from crossed wires. The next four years of their relationship would be filled with constant ups and downs. Rife with disappointment, hurt feelings caused by horrible miscommunication. But despite it all the two fought to remain each other’s lives, no matter the cost. Even if it meant fighting each other from time to time. For now though, despite a rocky start to the evening (through no fault of their own) they finally were alone and more importantly, opening up to one another. Fi considered Cal her boyfriend long before tonight, after only a couple dates, she decided he was the only man she wanted romantically in her life. He was happy with her, he stood up for her. Fi’s smile widened as her entire body went warm with unfiltered joy. From their first date she felt such a connection with Cal and it’d only grown stronger since then, but tonight really snapped everything into focus, just how much she really liked this man (truthfully, completely smitten already). She’d never felt jealousy like this before, but maybe she’d never dated anyone she was this worried of losing. The thought was a bit terrifying but also really exhilarating. “Just after the wedding, I wanted to be good for you tonight,” Fi admitted sheepishly, “I really just wanted to dance with you, talk to you.” Be with you. “You don’t need to be jealous, Warren or any other bloke for that matter, isn’t even on my radar.” “Cal,” Fi almost exclaimed and then in one fluid movement, she was out of her chair and on his lap, arm curled loosely around his neck and she kissed him. Not once, but twice and she pressed her face against his neck so close, he’d be able to feel her lips push up into a happy grin. “I do want, consider me yours, love.” She pulled back, “So is it too late for me to shove Ava’s face down into something? I think they’ve probably served dessert by now?” Fi was kidding. Mostly, but there was a distinct note of hope in her voice.

Years down the road, Cal would look back at this night as the first time they'd fought for one another. To keep each other in their lives no matter the cost. This time was small in the grand scheme of things, but in the moment it felt big. He'd never felt a connection like this to anyone before now. It was exciting and absolutely terrifying. The thought of losing her hadn't entered his mind until tonight and just a glimpse at that made him sick to his stomach. He was in deep and it had only been a matter of months. Of course he'd had girlfriends before, but none of them had ever meant this much to him. To be jealous of another bloke for simply being kind to her was a shock to his system and for the first time he felt like he was seeing clearly. "You don't have to be 'good' for me, love. I wouldn't have blamed you at all if you lost your cool with her tonight. But I'm glad you didn't all the same," he reassured her. Cal couldn't help but smile when she reassured him that she had no interest in Warren or anyone else for that matter. In spite of knowing now that she felt the same, Fi's reaction to him wanting to be his girlfriend surprised him. He always kept his emotions under wraps, but she was the opposite. It was refreshing, really. Cal gladly welcomed her into his lap, arms wrapping around her as she kissed him. As he felt her grin against him, he closed his eyes and did the same. "Mine," he said quietly, taking in the moment and trying to somehow memorize every little detail of how it felt. How was it possible to be so vulnerable with someone and it actually be a relief? He snapped out of his haze as she joked about Ava again. "You know what? I don't think it's too late at all. Let's go find her." Cal gently nudged Fi to stand up and then rose to join her, reaching out to take her hand. "Just kidding. You owe me a dance, love. C'mon," he grinned and tugged her towards the dance floor.

half of her beauty is her brain

As Fi slid on a coat of red lippy, her eyes fell to the clock’s reflection in her vanity mirror and she cringed, then stood and walked over to her closet to fish out a pair of black heeled sandals. Her day had started off a bit rough with a last minute order of fifty cauldron cakes which put her behind schedule. She had stayed at the shop two hours past closing time and was worried about being late to see Cal tonight. By now, he’d been kind enough to gift Fi with a built-in ten minute grace period, but their date tonight wasn’t just a fun night out at the pub eating fish ‘n chips. The Gringott’s event was to honor a cursebreaker’s latest discovery. To be honest, she couldn’t remember what it was, maybe a necklace? She hadn’t really been paying attention when Cal invited her last week on their date. She’d been far too busy sitting on his lap trying to be his distraction. But in between kisses she managed to eke out a, “Yes, of course I’ll go with you, boyfriend.” A title Fi used often ever since the two had finally made it official. And if that cow Ava was there tonight, she wouldn’t hesitate to throw it in her cow-like face. The dress tonight was (non optional) black tie and given the current heatwave beating down on London, Fi didn’t hesitate to buy the skimpy, slinky black dress she had on as she grabbed her purse and hurried out of her flat. She typically wore whatever she wanted anyway and had Cal in mind when she grabbed it off the rack. But as she entered the lobby of the hotel (not quite ten minutes late) and saw the other women arrive in their equally beautiful but not quite as daring sartorial choices, unwelcome pricks of self-consciousness began to poke at her usually confident demeanor. Fi was torn between waiting popping home to change and going in to get a glass of something in the hopes it’d smooth out the sudden appearance of her nerves. In the end she squared her shoulders, waltzed into the lavishly decorated ballroom and headed straight to the bar. A couple of Cal’s workers who recognized her from the retirement party came over to greet her with smiles and genuine compliments over her dress. The warm welcoming helped, as did the glass of bubbly Fi got from the bartender. She was mid sip as she glanced around looking for Cal when - “Whoooooa, who ordered the hooker?” Fi nearly choked on her drink as she heard a feminine voice immediately snap, “For fuck’s sake, Greg what’s the matter with you?” And as the woman stepped beside Fi, she rolled her eyes at the man’s offensive observation. “I’m so sorry, my husband is a moron,” no trace of humor in her tone. “You look stunning, dear. I’m Lily, this is Greg and he was just about to apologize, weren’t you?” Greg, who managed to at least look chagrined, turned to Fi and nodded. “Sorry, I was just teasing. Like my wife said, you look lovely. These things always make me nervous and turn me into a mouthy prick. What’s your name? Who ya here with?” Fi regarded him coolly, but smiled at Lily as the older woman stepped away briefly to get (Fi noted) herself and only herself a drink from the bar. “I’m Fioretta, and I’m here with… Cal!” The relief in her quiet exclamation was palpable as she spied him and waved. When he approached, she greeted him with a kiss and a quiet murmur of “Hi love, my gosh you look achingly handsome…” as Greg was forgotten about for the time being even as his eyes widened in surprise as he watched Fi greet Cal.

Not only did Cal not enjoy large social gatherings, he especially didn't like attending them in honor of someone he was in direct competition with at work. His colleague, Serena, had managed to unearth and break the curse on an 8th century diadem that had been on the bank's most wanted list for decades. Alone it was worth more than every single job Cal would have all year. So of course a banquet was held in her honor, the diadem displayed proudly (with plenty of security) at the front of the room. He'd attended a handful of these over his career at Gringotts. And, while he would actually hate having a large party thrown with him as the guest of honor, he still desperately wanted to be the one who found the prized artifact one day. But tonight was Serena's turn and, after sulking a little in private, Cal pushed passed his initial feelings. At least there was alcohol and, most importantly, Fi to accompany him. It was surprisingly nice to have someone to attend things like this with him now. Sure, the last bank event nearly turned messy when Ava pushed Fi's buttons one too many times, but even that was better than going it alone. At least in Cal's eyes. Now that they were official, he found all things were bearable as long as Fi was involved. When she'd first messaged him and told him she might be late, he was disappointed. But as she further explained the situation at the shop Cal understood. Showing up late to things because of a work emergency was not out of the norm for him. As he dressed in his one and only black tux, though, he could feel the nerves setting in. Of course this was an event with people he worked with daily, but it still made him uncomfortable. And knowing Fi was meeting him meant he'd have to go inside alone. So, while Fi was nervous for other reasons, Cal felt very much the same as he entered the banquet hall. It was decorated lavishly, of course, several hundred people already milling around the large room. Cal scanned it quickly, hoping to spot Fi, but coming up empty. A small group nearby spotted him and he chatted with them briefly, hating every moment of the small talk. After a few minutes, he excused himself and began to weave through the crowd toward the bar. It was at that moment he spotted her and he felt his breath hitch in his throat. She looked stunning. She always did really. He often wondered how he'd managed to make her his. His girlfriend, at that. The thought alone made him smile and he picked up his pace to reach her sooner, welcoming her kiss before he took a step back and truly appreciated her dress. "Merlin, you look beautiful. How did I ever get so lucky?" he said quietly, kissing her yet again just below her ear. "Oy, Sinclair. This is your date?" Cal's smile immediately left his face as he registered who was talking. "Greg," he said with an unamused tone. "Lily still keeps you around, hmm? Where is she anyway?" He looked around them, hoping to spot her. Lily was the only one who kept her husband in check, but even that went out the window once she had a few drinks. "She's at the bar getting me a Cosmopolitan. But back to this," Greg said, moving closer and gesturing between the two of them. "Fioretta, did you say it was? How'd you two end up together? No offense, Sinclair, but I always figured you were gay or, probably more likely, asexual."

Fi knew how uneasy Cal was in social settings. While she didn’t love the idea of exchanging a night just with him for one with several hundred people, she would probably just about anywhere with him. Given her bubbly disposition, it was easy for Fi to glide right in and thrive. She figured it would be similar to the last event. Some smiles, laughs. Food (which did look delicious she had noted on her way to one of the three bars) and drinks. And oh, apparently dodging landmines in the shape of obnoxious husbands and annoying colleagues (Fi also noted Ava milling around - in a dress not nearly as nice as hers). So wrapped up in her boyfriend, Fi had completely forgotten about Greg. Cal’s compliment warmed her from toe to pate and she smiled as she leaned into him. “It’s all those mushy peas you keep eating for me, I told you, we’re the perfect pair. And you still pretend not to notice my chip tax.” She was ready to kiss him again when Greg rudely (which seemed to be his factory setting) interrupted. A knowing look came over Fi’s face at Cal’s less than friendly introduction. So Greg was that bloke. Every job had one, whether it was an actually employee or the partner of one of them. The person who made everyone grit their teeth and bite their tongue as they desperately tried to avoid them. Not for the the first time, Fi was grateful for the “no wankers” policy at her shop for employees as well as customers. “A Cosmo? The drink the birds on that muggle show drink?” Fi blurted out, unable to help herself or the loud snicker which followed. Greg blanched and narrowed his eyes. “Better than champagne,” he retorted lamely. Fi rolled her eyes and stepped close to Cal wrapping an arm around his waist as she met Greg’s gaze. “Not that it’s any of your business, but Cal came to fix my AGA at my shop and I’ve been his ever since. And I can assure you, he’s not gay,” she added, her tone conciliatory. This was still a work event after all. At that moment, Lily came back after housing two shots at the bar. She had a Cosmo in one hand, a glass of red wine in the other and she smiled brightly at Cal. “Callum, good to see you! Fioretta hasn’t kicked Greg in the bullocks yet, so she’s doing just fine. Let’s get this over with, can’t believe Serena is the one we’re here for,” she said with a conspiratorial little wink. “C’mon, I think we’re at the same table.” A fact which made Fi inwardly cringed but she took Cal’s hand and squeezed it. The foursome walked to their table and sat down with Greg on one side of Fi. She immediately scooted closer to Cal and picked up the colored pamphlet atop one of the gold rimmed plates and absently read about the evening. Her hand came to rest on his thigh, “One of these days, we’ll be going to a party like this for you, love,” not realizing initially she’d just made a grand assumption about the future of their relationship and she blushed. “I mean, I just know this will be you, some day. You’re so brilliant.” Her eyes lit up and she pointed excitedly at the picture of the crown. “I didn’t know that’s what a diadem was! I thought it was, well I didn’t know,” Fi looked around, “So it’s here? I can go look at it? They’ll let me try it on?” Greg rolled his eyes and snorted to himself. It all made sense now. No way was Cal’s date beautiful and smart and had Lily not pulled him into a conversation he would’ve made some remark about Fi’s ridiculous question.

While the two had only been dating a few months, Cal already felt more at ease with Fi around. Her personality made up for his own. Where Fi was bubbly and affable, he was anything but. It was something he'd slowly become aware of over time, his demeanor being too standoffish. And, by the time he'd met Fi, he was somewhat self-aware of it. Which would probably be surprising considering the pair didn't exactly hit it off in the beginning. Former Cal would have told someone like Greg off almost instantly or, worse, walked away without even bothering to continue a conversation with him. But, as it was, Greg was Lily's husband and Lily was technically Cal's senior by a handful of years. He'd been around Greg many times before and had learned by now all anyone could really do was tolerate him until the event was over. Ironically enough, it seemed Lily barely tolerated him herself. Luckily, Fi was the perfect distraction in that dress of hers. Cal's hands rested on her waist, toying with the silky fabric as he unabashedly ogled her. "Oh I'm gonna cash in that chip tax later, just you wait," he whispered quietly in her ear. The thrill of flirting with her didn't last long as the other man continued to interject. Cal sputtered a little when Fi called Greg out for drinking a Cosmo, Greg scoffing at his obviously lame retort about her champagne. While Cal did try to be a little careful when dealing with Greg, it was impossible not to get annoyed with him. He could tell after just a few minutes that Fi had figured him out. "So not gay, but definitely asexual then," Greg mused, taking his drink from his wife as she emerged from the bar. Lily shot him a look before greeting the other two. "Lily, good to see you too. Good for Serena, I guess. Would be better if it was us," Cal agreed, blatantly ignoring Greg's second unnecessary comment about his sexuality. Lily had always been one of the few colleagues he truly enjoyed working with. She shared Cal's level of ambition, wasn't too chatty and got the job done. How she ended up with someone like Greg was a mystery to everyone that knew her. If Cal had been someone who discussed his personal life at work, that would be his first question to her. Instead he ignored it (and Greg) the best he could. Cal internally groaned at the mention of them sitting together, shooting Fi an apologetic look. Why couldn't they have just one normal night at one of his work events? Once the group settled in at the table, Cal leaned into Fi as well, arm wrapping around the back of her chair. "I wouldn't mind finding something like that one day. Just maybe without all of this," he said with a grin, gesturing to the entire room. Really just a nice, interoffice memo acknowledging he'd found something important would be enough for Cal. And a raise. And a promotion. Cal peered at the pamphlet in her hand and nodded. "Yeah, it's just a crown really. We can go look at it later, but they won't let you touch it, I'm afraid." Greg scoffed loudly next to Fi and leaned over to implant himself in the conversation. "You didn't know what a diadem was? And you really think they're going to let you parade around in a 2.5 million galleon artifact?" he said loudly, rolling his eyes for dramatic effect. "Good luck with that."

“You keep touching my dress like that and we‘ll be out of here in less than an hour,” Fi flirted back but like Cal was more than annoyed at the interruption. In the beginning, she’d been amused at the massive amounts of interest his colleagues had shown in his dating life and subsequently her. But soon the attention grew annoying and the limelight too warm, when all she wanted to do was be with him without prying eyes. “Actually, Craig,” Fi snapped, “He’s hung like a — “ but was thankfully cut off by Lily. She had barely spoken to Greg, but the man had already managed to find Fi’s last nerve and seemed intent on working it. But like last time, Fi bit her tongue and reeled it in for the sake of the environment. She met Cal’s apologetic look with a smile. She could handle Greg and then they could leave and be on their own. “Nope, you’re getting all this. Front page of The Daily Prophet. I’ll make cupcakes with your handsome face on it. There will be a parade,” she mused aloud as she leaned back into him. Fi suddenly found herself under Greg’s scrutiny and she blanched at his mocking tone. “Maybe they will let me try it on. I’ll just use my hooker charm,” she smirked. A normal person might’ve shown some embarrassment from an early offense but instead Greg just laughed and patted Fi on her leg, which caused her to scoot away even more. “May not be the brightest crayon, but at least she’s funny, Callum.” The hand in Cal’s lap briefly flexed into a fist and Fi trained her eyes forward as Lily changed the conversation. “I didn’t not know what it was,” she murmured quietly to Cal, “I just wasn’t sure. I’ll be right back, gonna go get us more drinks before dinner.” She gave him a quick kiss, went to the bar and came back with three drinks, purposefully leaving Greg out. “Saw you were still nursing your pink drink,” Fi explained as she handed them out. Someone from the bank came on stage, gave a brief speech running down all of Serena’s accolades and then the woman of the hour came on to a thunderous round of applause. She gave her own speech and then a small presentation where she showed more pictures of the diadem and some of its history. Then dinner was served. With his mouth filled with food, Greg was quieter and Cal and Lily were able to talk freely about work. Fi contributed here and there but when the subject of ancient languages came up she noticeably grew quiet and focused on eating. “What’s the matter, Fioretta? Not an expert on ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics?” Greg peppered in, a knowing smile on his arrogant face. “It’s fine, no need to worry, it’s all boring adult stuff. Not as fun as baking cakes, I’m sure. Let me tell you lot about work deal I recently made…” Fi set her napkin down and pushed her plate back. “I’m going to get some air, love, you stay and chat with Lily, yeah? She’s lovely,” she whispered in Cal’s ear and kissed his cheek. “Did I mention how good you look in that tux?” Fi took a few minutes in the hotel lobby but then made her way back inside. She was only a few feet from the table… but at the last second made a detour to where the diadem was on display. Maybe the security guards had gone to the loo because there was no one there but just as she moved to step close to the glittering crown a large man stepped in front of her. “That’s close enough, miss,” he intoned gruffly. Fi smiled apologetically, “Right, sorry. Gosh, I bet you’re bored. I could go get you a drink if you want? Or something to nibble on…? Hey, do you think I could just get a closer look? It’s so beautiful and y’know it goes with my dress and all,” shameless as she deliberately forced the guard’s gaze down the line of her figure.

If Lily hadn't stepped in at that exact moment, Cal was a millisecond away from stopping Fi from completing her sentence. Greg was the last person on the planet that needed to know anything about Cal's sex life. The man didn't need any more ammunition than he already had. Having known Greg for years now, Cal could tell he was in rare form tonight. Ready to pounce on anyone who gave him the opportunity. Unfortunately for them, it seemed Greg had his sights set on Fi. The pair tried their best to ignore him regardless though. Cal grimaced as she described the hypothetical pomp and circumstance that would happen if he found a million dollar artifact. "Fine, but I'd just disappear for a week while all of that was going on. Maybe you can attend in my place," he said, only somewhat jokingly. While ignoring Greg was the plan, of course he still found ways to implant himself into their conversations. Fi's question about the diadem didn't surprise Cal. Not many people outside of a select few areas probably knew much about things like that. And of course Fi wanted to try it on. She was the resident niffler after all. But when Greg scoffed at her, Cal's attention turned slowly to him, brow furrowing as he tensed beside Fi. Of course she had no problem defending herself, but that didn't stop him from being on edge. And Greg didn't last long before pushing him over. The comment about her not being bright caused Cal's anger to rise instantly. In fact, he was so angry he didn't even noticed Greg touched her in the process. "You wouldn't know intelligence if it punched you in the fact," he warned. The only thing holding him back tonight was the fact that they were at a work function. Serena's presentation was, admittedly, very impressive even to Cal. He listened intently albeit with a twinge of jealousy still. As they settled into dinner, he got a little caught up in the work-related conversation. It was easy for him to do, but he was also aware that it wasn't a universal topic. After blatantly blocking out Greg, Cal missed the other man's 50th rude interjection of the night. It wasn't until Fi whispered in his ear that he perked up, reaching out to take her hand as she stood. "You sure, love? I'll come find you in just a few, yeah?" he promised, giving her hand a squeeze. After that, he quickly wrapped up the conversation he was having with Lily about their most recent job. He didn't want to be rude, but also felt like Fi was much better company than the rest of the table. Excusing himself, he rose and looked around. At first he figured she was at one of the bars, but a quick scan around the room proved otherwise. She'd mentioned fresh air so he started toward the lobby, but then he remembered the diadem. As Cal peered over the top of the people around him he spotted her instantly. At first he, too, missed the security guard, but when the gruff man appeared out of no where, Cal knew it was probably time to interject. As he weaved through the crowd, he caught the tail end of her spiel just as he came to stand beside her. "How'd I know this is where you would be?" he said, voice low in her ear, a smirk evident in the tone of his voice. Raising up again, he held his arm out for her to take and smiled back at the guard. "Sorry, she's just never seen anything like this before is all. I don't suppose we could get a closer look...?" At that, the guard stepped between them, pulling his wand out but leaving it at his side for now. "Absolutely not." At this, Cal knew they'd pushed their luck too far and gently tugged Fi back. "C'mon, love. I'll let you go through my stash at home later. Not nearly as impressive, but it's something." After pulling her away from the diadem, knowing the further away from it they were the better, he tugged her into him, arms wrapping around her waist. "Thanks for coming with me to the world's dullest and most pretentious event, love. I'm sorry they won't even let you touch the most exciting thing here." Cal smiled down at her before dropping a kiss to her forehead. He'd never been so effortlessly affectionate before now, but being with Fi had always been so easy. "Hey, wanna go tell Greg you not only got to touch it, but they let you try it on?" he asked with a smirk.

Fi knew she was smart. She’d attended a world renowned wizarding academy only to follow it up with an education at one of the best culinary schools in France, a country which was arguably the birthplace of true gastronomy. But she knew these things in an abstract way, like how she knew the sun rose and set every morning. And everyone had an Achilles Heel and Fi’s was her intelligence. It lay dormant until it didn’t, like tonight, when she was put in a situation where it was glaringly obvious she wasn’t on the same intellectual playing field as everyone else. Greg seemed to pick up on this immediately and honed in on Fi soon after. Cal’s hostile words surprised her and she squeezed his hand tightly beneath the table and mouthed a silent Thank you. He was right: she could handle herself, but it was always nice to have someone in your corner. And as the outlier guest for the evening, Fi wanted to try and behave. There was so much Fi admired and liked about Cal and one of them was his brain. He read constantly, had a subscription to The Daily Prophet, did puzzles, whereas Fi relied on other things to make her way through the world. Like now, as she blatantly tried to use her charms (her boobs) and her wit (the peek of thigh jutting out from the slit in her dress) to finagle her way closer, maybe within touching distance to the sparkly tiara. She startled slightly and turned to Cal with guilt on her face, a look of I wasn’t doing anything wrong, only to be delighted when he tried to help her out. Fi hated being told no, but she knew a lost cause when she saw one. She pouted but it vanished when Cal pulled her into his arms. Suddenly, the diadem didn’t matter. “You have a stash at home? You can show me tomorrow morning.” Fi smiled and shrugged. “This isn’t so bad, you know I like an excuse to dress up. And I’m touching the most exciting thing right now,” she said as leaned up to kiss him. “Oh, absolutely. He’s a real dickhead,” said as their kiss ended and they went back to their table for one more drink to end the evening. As soon as Fi sat down she wished she hadn’t. The group was in the midst of talking about politics both in their world and the muggle one. Fi hoped she could fly under the radar but then Greg narrowed his gaze at her, and casually asked. “So Fioretta, what do you think of Theresa May’s plan to withdraw the UK from the European Union? What impact do you think it’ll have?” She nearly choked on her drink and her cheeks flushed as she stammered out a response that made some sense, but had Greg exchanging a knowing glance with another person at the table. Of course she’s read about it, but not in detail. “I shouldn’t have put you on the spot, darling. Next time I’ll ask you about all the different kinds of frosting.” A couple people snickered and she forced a smile and then leaned into Cal, “Do you mind if we go? Or I can and just meet you back at your flat?”

While Cal may not have known that Fi's intelligence was a sore topic for her, he did know when someone like Greg was being an ass. Of course he also knew that Greg didn't discriminate. He'd said something rude to everyone at their table over the years. Multiple times. And while everyone at Gringotts knew him by now, he still managed to get under people's skin. Tonight Cal was kicking himself for not giving Fi a fair warning about Greg beforehand. It might have made it a little easier to stomach at least. But, while Cal was used to Greg's brashness, he certainly wasn't use to him insulting his girlfriend. For some reason, the insults hurled at Fi bothered him far more than anything Greg could have said about him. Especially when those insults were so off base. Cal may have made his own assumptions about Fi when they first met, but those were long gone the moment he actually gave her a chance a week later. He may have been book smart, but Fi was perceptive and crafty. She knew how to get things done and how to get what she needed. Not to mention win people over with her seemingly effortless charm. To Cal she was easily an equal if not completely out of his league. Unfortunately Fi's charm wasn't getting her anywhere with the security guard though. Cal was relieved when she admitted defeat, knowing she didn't often go quietly. The pout on her face only made him smile more. "I've got a stash. I mean, nothing worth as much as that crown, but a few things." Cal also instantly regretted heading back to the table. He could tell that the topic was something no one was actually enjoying, yet Greg appeared utterly gleeful about it. Deciding it was best to go back to the original plan of ignoring him, Cal made it a point to turn away from him. Of course he had to go and address Fi for the hundredth time tonight, though, and Cal felt his blood boil yet again. As she sputtered out her answer, he reached up to rub her back, watching as Greg cast knowing glances to a bloke he worked with across the table. "Oy, Greg. At least Fi makes things people actually enjoy. Not everyone can be an expert on being a bloody buzzkill." By now Cal didn't seem to care if he offended Lily's husband. To be fair, Lily had gotten up and left the table, probably back at the bar. When Fi leaned in and requested they leave, Cal frowned but nodded. "No, we can go. I'm sick of looking at his ugly mug anyway," he murmured back, standing up and helping Fi up from her own chair. He opted for politeness as they said their goodbyes, although he secretly wanted to tell Greg off one last time. Cal held his arm out for her to take and lead her out of the ballroom. Once they'd made it out onto the street he let out a sigh of relief. "Fuck, I'm sorry, love. Please don't take what he said personally. Greg's an ass to everyone."

Apparently, Greg didn't know the loudest voice in the room seldom belonged to the most intelligent mind. And his voice was a banshee wail, his laugh so loud and so obnoxious Fi heard it all the way across the room and it made her cringe. How he landed a woman like Lily was a huge mystery. His fragile masculinity seemed to run on attention (good or bad) and the assumption that on any given moment, he was the smartest bloke in the room. Only a couple hours had passed since Fi had arrived at the event but her patience was thin and all her grace and smiles (forced and real) was just about used up. And the way Greg maliciously turned the spotlight on the "dumb kid in class" broke her. Her posture was stiff the entire time Fi rambled on some answer she pulled from the little blurbs she read here and there, the quiet conversations she'd been privy to at her shop. But in reality, she didn't have the slightest clue of the minute, complicated details of the soon to be named Brexit and it showed. The warmth of Cal's hand on her back was a comfort, but also reminded Fi he was sitting right beside her with a front row seat to her ignorance and her cheeks reddened again in embarrassment. His retort to Greg garnered a couple smirks and for the first time in the evening, Greg fell quiet, but shrugged indifferently. He'd made his point and now he was bored. Fi didn't even look his way as the pair exited and once outside she turned to face Cal, and ran her hands down his arms until they met his and she twined their fingers together. She laughed softly and tried to shrug it off, she didn't want to feel this way, not with Cal. "It's no big deal, I don't really pay much attention to things like that, but I probably should. But I have you now for that, right?" She smiled and kissed him. Fi didn't want to talk about Greg anymore, so not for the first time, she pushed down her feelings and decided to focus on Cal. "Besides, isn't that what I'm meant to do as a cursebreaker's girlfriend? Attend all the events, look pretty and smile?" asked with a self-deprecating laugh. "Wanna go back to your flat? I'm sure there are some things I can educate you on, like how easily my dress falls off."

Cal could tell Fi was uncomfortable of course. How could she not be? Greg's one and only talent in life was making other people feel badly about themselves. But Cal knew by now not to take it personally. Greg was just incapable of keeping his mouth shut and he certainly didn't have a filter. But he treated everyone that way so Cal found it easier to shrug him off. It was really the only way to survive being around the other man. Cal knew he couldn't exactly tell him off the way he wanted, at least not with Lily being his superior at work. Fi had always been able to go with the flow and brush things off easily. So it didn't even cross Cal's mind that she was more any ore shaken up than he was. Once they were outside, he gladly took hold of her hands and squeezed them lightly. "If it makes you feel any better, I don't know much about exiting the EU stuff either. That's not really my forte," he admitted. And it was the truth. He could have probably talked his way out of that particular conversation with Greg, but was more than happy not to. After Fi kissed Cal, he smiled and linked arms with her once more as they made their way down the street. "Oy, your job is to be the fun, personable one to make up for your boyfriend's hatred of social settings actually. Did I forget to tell you that before you agreed to date me?" he teased, elbowing her lightly in the side. "My coworkers really like you, love. Not just because you're beautiful and have the best smile. But because you're kind and fun to be around. Greg can bugger the fuck off." That night they'd go back to his flat just as Fi suggested and Greg would be a long forgotten memory. At least to Cal. It wasn't until a few days later, when a coworker asked if the couple could join in on a trivia night that Greg even came to mind again. While Cal didn't feel like he had much to contribute to a trivia game, it still sounded like fun. And it helped that Fi thought it sounded like a great idea too. When they arrived at the pub the following Wednesday, he searched the room, finally spotting his colleagues across the bar. It wasn't until they got close that he noticed Greg, already sat at the middle of the table, a knowing grin coming over his face as he spotted both Fi and Cal. "Fuck. Not him again," Cal muttered, nudging Fi. "Sorry, love. I had no idea we'd be subjected to this. I would have said no." Cal offered her an apologetic smile before stopping at the table and greeting everyone. Luckily the seats around Greg were full, but that just left the chairs across from him empty. As soon as they sat down, Cal could tell that both he and Fi were in direct eyeline of Greg. "Fioretta, good to see you again. Not sure Types of Cake is a category option though. Hopefully you have other areas of expertise?" Greg smirked across the table at them before taking a sip of his pint and setting it down smugly.

They’d only been together a few months and Fi already trusted Cal. But her insecurities about her intellect had nothing to do with him. Cal had never made her feel less than in any way. Still, the idea of fessing up to your smart boyfriend you’d felt like a dummy in a sea of Einsteins wasn’t exactly palatable. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better,” she scoffed playfully. But without the glaring spotlight of unwanted attention, Fi already felt better. And Cal’s compliments certainly didn’t hurt. “Say more things like that,” she whispered in his ear before the two set off for his flat. Besides, Fi consoled herself, I won’t be seeing him anytime soon. “Yes, absolutely!” was her reaction to trivia. For someone prone to lamenting their lack of brain power, Fi unabashedly loved trivia. She was competitive and with something like pub trivia, everyone knew their strengths and weaknesses. She met him after work with a small box of freshly made chocolate croissants and as the two walked to the pub, she was looking forward to the evening and it showed in the happy grin on her face, the excited cadence of her words. “My uni mates and I used to do trivia a lot. And everyone has their strengths, yeah? So mine is obviously anything in the gastronomy world and I’m a real pro when it comes to anything pop culture, muggle or otherwise. I’m good with literature, sort of. As they entered the pub, the smile on her face vanished as well as her excitement. She wanted to turn and run in the other direction, but merely smiled. “It’s alright, it’ll still be fun?” Not realizing her statement had been more of a hopeful question. She’d barely set down her bag and box of croissants in the empty chair beside her before Greg started in. “Craig, so good to see you again. Hey, you never know, these things are a crapshoot,” as a server came around to get their orders, she immediately ordered three drinks. Two whiskeys for herself, and a Cosmo for Greg. “Oops, I’m sorry. I just assumed that beer was Lily’s,” Fi tapped her forehead in a how silly of me gesture, even though she saw him sip from it. “She’s not here tonight, couldn’t make it. And it’s GREG,” he mumbled beneath his breath as the woman sitting beside him snickered at Fi’s comment. The group chatted amiably. Some of them Fi knew and as Cal introduced her and explained she was responsible for the sudden appearance of baked goods in the staff break room, the note of obvious pride in his voice made her grin up at him as she squeezed his hand under the table while they complimented her. As far as pub trivia went, the questions were intermediate. Some of them were so easy, “Even the cute little baker knew it,” was Greg’s dig but Fi rolled her eyes. “You gotta step up your insult game, Greg. Maybe have another Flirtini.” Fi had taken charge of ordering the drinks and with each round, Greg’s drinks grew more feminine. Something which irritated him, but he didn’t say a word about it. The two traded barbs all night, but none so offensive to make other people step in though. Fi knew nearly every answer in the pop culture category and in the science round blurted out “Molecular gastronomy,” when a question about it arose. They were in their third round of drink and the final round trivia. European history. As the table grinned, Fi took her whiskey and leaned back as Cal wrapped an arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead. The group breezed through the answers, but Fi went quiet. When it was all said and done, they came in third place. The prize was a round of drinks and some food. Greg peered at the box by Fi and without asking grabbed it and popped it open. “These look good,” he observed before reaching in to grab a croissant then offered them around the table. “Hey!” she began, they’d been for Cal, but… “Help yourself, Greg,” she muttered. Through a mouthful of pastry his words (a bit slurred now), “Wow Fioretta, these are really good. No wonder you landed a brainstrust like Cal here. You dress like a hooker and bake like Martha Stewart, I wonder what else you’re good at, definitely not European history.” The group fell quiet and Fi’s face turned red. “Mark, no, maybe Alex,” she mused aloud to Greg who gave her a quizzical look. “Oh, sorry, I’m just thinking which of my male friends I’m going to set up with Lily when she realizes what an egotistical, nasty prick she married and divorces you.” “I’m going to get some air,” she said as she shoved her back and rose from the table. Fi was embarrassed again, both at Greg’s comments throughout the night but the way she acted in front of Cal’s colleagues. She waded through the warm bodies in the pub and went outside and sat down. A few minutes later the door opened and when she saw it was Cal, she sat up straight. “I’m sorry, love. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I know we’re at a pub but these are your colleagues and I just embarrassed myself and I’m so sorry.”

Greg was the last person Cal expected to see tonight. Like Cal, Lily didn't make it a habit of going out with colleagues often, mostly because Greg could be a lot. So seeing him there without her was definitely a shock. Cal immediately felt badly, taking Fi to two events in a week where she had to be subjected to Greg. Unfortunately for her, Cal completely missed the unease in her voice upon seeing him sitting at their table. As far as he was concerned, Fi handled Greg's not-so-friendly greeting with ease which caused Cal to relax a little. He'd yet to see Fi anything but confident when it came to pretty much anything. Where he struggled with socializing, she flourished, so it never even crossed his mind that Greg was actually getting to her. As soon as she ordered the Cosmo, Cal had to mask a snort of laughter. He half wondered if Greg was only drinking beer tonight because Fi had given him such a hard time earlier in the week. That seemed to shut him up for a bit and the table easily slipped into friendly chit chat. He, of course, had to brag on Fi's baking skills. Her baked goods had been the topic of conversation in the office for weeks now and everyone loved them. Cal returned her grin as several people shared their favorites. Greg might have thought it funny to tease her about her career, but Cal didn't find it something to belittle at all. Her skills were unmatched as far as he was concerned and the fact that she successfully ran a business on top of it all was impressive. And fellow colleagues all seemed to agree. As the trivia game began, Cal found himself a little out of his element. Sure, he was book smart, but categories like wizard rock and muggle films weren't really his strong suit. Luckily several others at the table seemed to be able to answer those just fine, Fi included. Cal only half-paid attention to Greg and Fi's banter throughout the event. It seemed, on the surface, to be in good fun. Well, as much fun as Greg was capable of portraying. He always took things a bit too far. But, again, Fi seemed to be handling it well, so Cal didn't feel the need to interject. He gave her a friendly elbow in the side at the mention of molecular gastronomy, flashing her a grin. As far as he was concerned, she was more than holding her own. As the last category was announced, Cal felt a rush of excitement. Between himself and the other cursebreakers on their team, they had this one covered. And that they did. Even someone as competitive as Cal couldn’t be upset with third place. The team celebrated with a round of cheers, clinking their glasses together. He might have hit Greg’s a little too hard though because some of his newest, more feminine drink sloshed out onto his hand. Smirking a little, Cal sat back in his chair and gave Fi a squeeze. He was just about to tell her he’d had a fun night when Greg reached and snagged his croissants. If Cal was annoyed by that, he was in utter shock as he watched the obnoxious man pass the box around. He scowled across the table at him as he took a much too large bite. What Greg said next had Cal seeing red, his fist slamming on the table and causing the many glasses to rattle. Everyone’s eyes were on both Fi and Cal now and he felt himself go red as well. Where he stared back at Greg, so angry he couldn’t form words, Fi gave the perfect retort. Maybe it was a little too far but Greg had overstepped long before that. Fi was walking away from the table so fast she didn’t get to hear the chuckles that followed. Cal’s colleagues all either murmured something in agreement with her or gave Greg a stern look of disapproval. Frowning, Cal pushed his chair back and pointed at him. “Fuck you, man. Why are you such a dick? And those were my croissants!” It was not his best retort and he wanted to say so much more, but had to stop himself. This was a colleague’s husband and they were in public after all. Instead he stormed off, frantically looking for Fi. Worried she might have just gone home, he rushed outside. “Oh good,” he said with a gasp. “I thought you left.” He barely got the words out when she began to apologize. “What? No, don’t. I’m sorry for subjecting you to him, love. He was completely out of line and needed to be put in his place. You had every right to say that to him.” Cal frowned and reached out, his hands on her arms. “Everyone inside is disgusted by him too. You just said what we’ve all wanted to say for years.”

Even in a crowded pub, Greg’s presence stifled Fi. His default setting was obnoxious, but she noticed most everyone at the table rolled with it. Or outright ignored him, treating the grown man like a child whose antics were undeserving of attention. And maybe if they hadn’t been in such close quarters, Fi would’ve been able to as well. But she could feel his attention on her throughout the night. When she answered questions or when she fell silent because she didn’t have them. His gaze flitted between lecherous and knowing. An arrogant smirk and a snicker. Despite all of this, she still managed to have a good time. Cal kept her close and his colleagues were funny and easy to be around. Fi visibly jumped when his fist came crashing down on the table and she blinked at Cal’s uncharacteristic show of anger. But it seemed he was as tired of Greg as she was and hit his limit. As had everyone else at the table, but she didn’t witness it. As she sat outside, Fi covered her face in her hands and she silently berated herself. For the second time in their relationship, she made a spectacle in front of his co-workers. The wedding was far worse and while tonight was a more relaxed, social visit, she was sure it’d make the gossip mill in the halls and offices of the bank come tomorrow morning. Greg was a human dumpster fire, but Fi wasn’t a kid anymore and needed to control her temper. What if she’d embarrassed Cal too? In more ways than one? Her shoulders sagged in relief when Cal’s reassurances he wasn’t upset with her and she smiled and tugged him to sit down beside her. Still, it dimmed a bit as she turned to face him, and covered one of his hands with hers. “I’m still sorry, I shouldn’t let him get to me that way. It’s just, I think I’m overly sensitive to certain things. I know what people think when they look at me. I’m the pretty little baker with her cute little shop and that’s it. And it’s fine, I’m used to it. But – are you sure you don't want someone smarter?” The question blurted out in a whoosh of air.

oh darling, everyone sees how you look at him

“So you guys dated? For how long? Was it serious?” James didn’t look mad so much as surprised and a bit annoyed. Fi couldn’t blame him, she learned, a lie by omission still read like a lie - see: the wedding disaster Cal had unknowingly walked into. After the two slept together, she’d been avoiding James, her excuse a vague “not feeling well.” As she revealed one mistruth while deliberately leaving out another, the guilt was undeniable. Because she lied, because she still wasn’t over Cal, because they'd had sex. But, mostly, because she didn’t regret it, couldn’t bring herself to. “Not long, less than six months. No, it was more of a fling really,” the flippant word came out before Fi could stop herself and inwardly she cringed. A fling was meaningless and lacked any sort of real emotional connection. It didn’t leave you disappointed, full of longing and regret for weeks, months after. She was about to self-correct, but when relief spread across James’ face, she bit back her words and offered what she hoped was a reassuring smile. It worked because instead of walking off in a huff, he leaned down to kiss her.But that was over two weeks ago before she and Cal ran into one another yet again and decided (probably quite foolishly) to do the intricate “we’re just friends” dance. They’d never been friends, but only because friendship was the furthest thing from her mind when it came to him. Fi had no idea what the fuck she was doing. Did friends grab a late night drink? Take a fun day trip to an F1 race? Were they always on the cusp of kissing? Was there always a bit of good ole fashioned yearning involved? But when confronted twice with Cal’s permanent absence in her life, she stubbornly decided to try and make it work. He was now a non negotiable. James didn’t love the idea but he seemed to have made his own version of peace with it. She knew it still bothered him. Fi saw it in the way his jaw tightened when he came across the two of them chatting at Gringott’s or when she casually mentioned the two had hung out the previous night. He had every right to be jealous. Though Cal had a new girlfriend to assuage it.It was nearly 10 pm when James walked her up to her flat after dinner. Normally he’d stay over but tomorrow morning he had to set off for another work trip. “I’ll only be gone a day, two at the most,” he said as he gently pressed her back against her front door, kissing her in between his words. “And I promise to cry every night because of how much I miss you.” Fi laughed. “But you cried yourself to sleep every night before we met so…” which earned her a smirk and another kiss before he left. Once inside, she kicked off her shoes, dropped her purse on the kitchen counter and changed into a pair of flannel pjs. She was in the kitchen, working on some cupcakes for an early morning pick up tomorrow (definitely not thinking about James, then Cal, then Eve) when a sharp knock, then another rattled her door. Assuming it was the former, she walked over and opened it. “Did you forget something?” nope, not James! “Cal? Hi! What’re you doing here, are you okay?” Fi asked, confused and concerned.

The last few weeks had been more than a little stressful. With Fi barreling back into his life just as his work was starting to slow down, Cal had plenty of time to dwell on his personal life. And, while he didn't regret having sex with her that first night, he still felt badly about it. Knowing she was seeing James, a man Cal respected in many ways, caused plenty of guilt over it. And, yet, the idea of Fi walking out of his life once again seemed so much worse. Suggesting they just stay friends was a desperate, last ditch effort on Cal's part. While he was grateful she agreed to it, he hadn't realized at the time just how difficult the proposition would be. They'd never been "just friends" before and now the lines felt very blurry. Their constant messaging back and forth on top of meeting up whenever the other was free made things feel somewhat normal. Well, normal for a couple who was dating maybe. Cal found himself constantly questioning if what they were doing was something friends would do together. On top of that, he'd gotten a front row seat to Fi and James' relationship. She popped by the bank often and Cal tried not to eavesdrop or keep an eye on them, but it was difficult at best. And, while the couple didn't share everything going on, Cal had been privy to some of the things they did on dates or talked about. This was quickly becoming something he wished he wasn't a part of, though. One day last week, he and James had been discussing an upcoming job in Italy and, of course, Fi came up. It made Cal uncomfortable, discussing her with him, knowing what he knew. But James seemed more than fine with it, finally patting him on the shoulder as they wrapped up their conversation.

"Fi let me know you two had a thing once, mate. Hope it's not awkward for you, her coming up to the office so often."
"Huh? Oh...oh yeah, no. It's fine. I don't mind at all," Cal had fumbled, surprised he knew and also worried about what exactly he knew.
"I'm glad. I figured that was the case since it was just a fling."
Cal stared at him now, clearly looking confused for a moment before shaking the expression away. "Yeah, it was nothing at all. But I appreciate you checking in."

He'd excused himself immediately afterward, unable to keep himself from fuming over the comment. Just an hour later, Fi stopped by the office yet again. Luckily she hadn't seen him, so Cal ducked out and down the back stairs in an effort to avoid her. He couldn't pinpoint why her calling it a fling made him so angry, but it did. And, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Instead of going back to the bank, he'd wandered down Diagon Alley and ended up in a coffee shop. The line was long, but that didn't bother Cal. As the person in front of him stepped up, so did he but then accidentally stepped on the back of her shoe. "Oh, I'm sorry about that," he apologized, gently touching her shoulder as he spoke. The young woman turned around and, instead of a scowl, she smiled back at him, assuring him it was just fine. And that's how he'd met Eve. A nursery school teacher who loved her work and, in her spare time, mostly read or traveled. The two hit it off immediately and, before he knew it, Cal had been chatting at a table with her for half an hour. They'd ended it by agreeing to dinner the following night and, since then, he'd seen her twice more. She was very sweet and kind and looking to take things slow, something Cal decided sounded like a great idea. Eve seemed to be a calming presence and one he probably needed when everything else was so chaotic. Still, when he wasn't with Eve, Cal's mind reeled over everything going on with Fi. On this particular night, she had plans with James and Eve was busy as well, so he'd gone to the pub by himself. After a few hours, he wasn't completely sloshed but also wasn't sober. Deciding he couldn't stand to sit there anymore, he decided to walk home in an effort to clear his head. Fi's place wasn't far from the pub and, out of habit, he walked in that direction, inevitably thinking about her and James and everything that had been going on. Just as he turned the corner to Fi's block, he saw James exiting her building. Cal froze and, in a move he knew was ridiculous, hid back around the corner as the other man walked away. Once he knew James was gone, Cal frowned and, knowing it was a bad idea, walked into that very same building, up the stairs and knocked on the door. "Hi," he said, side stepping her and letting himself in her flat. Cal wasn't sure what had come over him, but he was tired of speaking in code when it came to Fi. Either to her or about her to James. "Listen, why did you tell James we had a fling? Like...just a fling? He has no bloody clue, Fi," he insisted, clearly frustrated.

Oh, Fi had met Cal's new whatever, a week or so after they'd gone to Monza. He set her up, sent Eve to surprise Fi at work and pop up like a goddamn muggle magic show. In the midst of a very busy morning, short an employee from a last minute call out she found herself looking into the friendly, open face of pretty blonde. "Fi? I'm Eve."
"Hi? Eve? I'm sorry, do we," Fi began, confused
"Oh, sorry, where are my manners? I'm Cal's friend, he told me I needed to come see you, said you make the best chocolate croissants he's ever had."
I bet he fucking did, Fi thought sarcastically, but instead gave Eve a couple on the house, "One for you and one for Cal," she said through a smile Eve was too ignorant to recognize as fake, more of a baring of teeth, really.

Later that morning as she cleaned up, she muttered beneath her breath, annoyed as hell and annoyed at how annoyed she was. She and Cal agreed to be friends, full stop. It couldn't be easy, seeing her with James. Why shouldn't he move on? Find someone to spend time with, same way she had. Because on many levels, as unfair as it was, Fi would always see Cal as hers. That very evening on a date with James, over dinner Fi casually mentioned she met "Cal's new friend," and the sheer look of unsuppressed joy on his face had her laughing despite her mixed feelings. From then on, she noticed he scowled much less whenever Cal's name was brought up or if she popped by his office on her way out from lunch with James. She'd asked Cal about Eve, because of course she did. And she even managed to keep snark out of her voice! Because friends were happy for each other's relationships! In her flat, Fi had no idea about the storm brewing down the block from her. She was grateful for the cupcake order. It kept her mind distracted and Cal-free, her hands busy so she didn't message him for a drink. But turns out, she didn't need to. "Hi? Come on in?" She looked at him quizzically as she stepped aside and shut the door. He'd blown past her so fast, all she caught was the scent of whiskey and a flash of his irritated face. What the hell? But she didn't need to wonder long, because the reason for his ire burst out of him and caught her off-guard so much Fi actually took a step back and then went to go sit on the couch, her cupcakes completely forgotten about. She had no idea James and Cal had even spoken about their relationship. "Why was he asking about us anyway? When did he say that?" her mind reeling as she tried to recover from the surprise.

It probably wasn't the best idea, casually sending Eve to The Witching Flour to meet Fi. Truth be told Cal suggested it without even thinking, he and Eve's conversation having turned to food. Fi was always the first person he thought about when it came to that and bragging about her skills was practically a pastime at this point. And, while he absolutely was bragging about her that day, it was with the tiniest bit of revenge that he suggested Eve pop in the shop next time she was nearby. Because, yes, watching Fi with James had been torture and Cal was more than a little sick of it. Even he could recognize that it was difficult to see her with someone else. And now it was practically in his face everywhere he turned. Being just friends with Fi was a lot of work, it turned out, but something Cal still didn't want to concede. The time they spent together outside of all the chaos was worth it to him. And, yet, it still didn't fill the void completely. The two of them were very different, but it seemed they both felt possessive about the other. Something that, if Cal took the time to really look it, was a horrible trait and one that would fail their attempts at other relationships every time. Including their current ones with James and Eve. Cal, of course, had no idea James was taking such pleasure in him seeing Eve. To Cal it sounded like James didn't see him as competition at all when it came to Fi. Especially since he was under the impression Cal and Fi's relationship had only ever been as casual as they come. To think James had no idea how much of a whirlwind it had really been, how instantly they'd felt a connection, annoyed the hell out of Cal. Sure, they'd only dated three months, but it had been a lot more than just some bloody one night stand. While Fi walked over to sit on the couch, Cal stood just a few steps from the front door. He suddenly felt self-conscious being in her flat alone with Fi. The last time they'd been here it had upended both of their lives. It was difficult to look at her and both see someone he couldn't fathom losing and also someone he wanted in a much bigger capacity than either of them could offer. "Huh? Last week sometime, I think. We were talking about the Italy job and you came up," he replied, brushing the questions aside. "That's not important. Why did you lie to him? He thinks we had a bloody one night stand, Fi. You know damn well it was more than that!"

Cal wasn't alone in this. Fi was having a helluva time navigating what was brand new territory for them. For the first time, she found herself holding back with Cal because ironically, if she didn't, she worried she'd lose him again. If the two of 'em could just get out of their own way, their heads. If Fi could shake off the guilt, realize just because James a good man didn't mean he was the one for her... it was unfair really, staying with him when her heart wasn't in it as she pined for another. But instead, she carried on, convinced the only way to have her Cal in her life was to pretend friendship was all she wanted from him. But they both knew they were in denial. She noticed he stayed away from her and she couldn't really blame him. Give them a closed door and privacy, anything could happen. Again. In public the gravitational pull between them was undeniable but at least held them to a certain level of accountability. In Monza, they'd been less guarded. Fi was an affectionate person by nature. Add booze, her overexcitement and Cal - James had every right to express concern over their trip. There was handholding as she tugged him here and there, knee grazes coupled with heated looks. And fuck, she'd been so tempted to invite him up when they got back to London at 2 am. "I did not tell him we were a one nigh stand!" Fi narrowed her eyes as her own irritation escalated, "is that what he fucking said?" She jumped off on the couch and began pacing, hands back to her anxious habit of twirling the ring on her finger as she tried to think. "I didn't mean to lie to him," Fi stopped and ran her hands through her hair. "What should I have said, Cal?" She looked at him then, eyes soft and open despite the hard tone of her voice.

Even as frustrated as he was at their current situation, Cal simply couldn't trust himself to be this close to Fi while alone in her flat. The urge to be near her was palpable. It was almost like he had to physically force himself not to move from his spot. Being in public was the only thing that seemed to help this urge, but even then Cal could admit they weren't great at avoiding it. Monza had been exactly as Fi described it to him. An exciting day was only made better by the fact they were in another country, away from prying eyes. They'd managed to be good enough, but he would be lying if he hadn't almost suggested they go back to her place more than once. The tension between them just always seemed to be on the brink of spilling over into...well, more than friends. It was difficult to glance at her kitchen and not picture the way they'd hungrily kissed each other there just weeks before. Luckily, Fi suddenly pacing the floor helped distract him from more of these type of thoughts. When she demanded to know exactly what James said, Cal paused, trying to remember. "I--I don't know. Fling is what he said. It was just a fling," he recalled, getting frustrated that she wouldn't just take his word for it. "Like you just tossed me aside after the fact!" His voice was angry again, almost growly from the frustration. "You could have told the damn truth. He's your bloody well boyfriend. Doesn't he deserve that?" Sighing, Cal angrily shoved his hands in his pockets, still refusing to move from his exact spot. "I liked you a hell of a lot more than just some fucking fling," he added, his tone softening a little as he avoided her gaze.

Fi tried to put herself in herself in his shoes. What if she'd been on the receiving end? Eve breezily telling her Cal said their relationship was just a fling. Emotions stripped away and reduced to merely fucking. She'd feel awful. Hurt, angry - everything Cal seemed to be feeling right now. She'd lied to save her boyfriend's ego, but hurt Cal's feeling in the process and suddenly, she felt awful. They were living in a house made of cards. If there was a balance to be found somewhere, it was fragile. One false move and everything would shatter into a million pieces. He hadn't been back in her flat since the night they slept together. Their hellos and goodbyes deliberately relegated to meeting somewhere or at the front of their buildings. Cal's glance toward the kitchen had Fi looking there as well and immediately she was assaulted with memories of everything. His tongue in her mouth, hand between his leg. Her sighs and his groans. Her mouth went dry and she swallowed hard. "I think we're a little past what he deserves and doesn't deserve now." Fi knew it was wrong, dangerous even to touch him, but like with so many other Cal-related things, she couldn't help herself. And the look on his face, the way he refused to meet her eyes, it nearly broke her again. Fi rubbed a hand down her face and she walked over to him, her hands falling to rest on chest. It took everything in her power not to rise up, nuzzle his neck, initiate a kiss... would she ever not want this man? "Cal, I didn't mean to, it just came out, because I thought I had to downplay it. You were never just a fling, you have to know that. I've had flings before and they never felt this way," out of habit, her fingers absent fiddled with the buttons of his shirt and she sighed softly. "I still think about you way more than I should. I miss you even when we're in the same room together."

For someone who happily buried his own feelings when given the chance, the last several weeks had been too much for Cal. He prided himself on being even-keeled, but the constant feelings of jealousy, nervousness and just utter desire when it came to Fi had sent him reeling. And yet? He also felt more alive now that Fi was back in his life. He'd known from the beginning just how contagious her personality and way of life were. In some ways it was like a drug to Cal. One that, despite all of the mess, he had no intentions of ever giving up again. Yet Cal winced when she made the blunt statement about James. So many times he'd thought to himself how easy it would be to forget James was even in the picture. How simple it would be to just lean in and kiss her again and see where it led them. Pretending neither James and Eve had ever existed. He was thinking it again now as his gaze, while trying to avoid looking at Fi, turned to the hallway leading to her bedroom. What he wouldn't give to rewind the clock and be tangled in her bedsheets together, kissing and shagging and just talking like everything was normal. His daydream was interrupted by Fi's hands on his chest. Cal's head snapped back, his dark eyes meeting her green ones. Sometimes it felt like he could read her mind just by looking in her eyes. Now he wondered if she could feel his heart ready to beat out of his chest under her touch. Swallowing hard, he reached up and rested his hand over both of hers, gently pressing them against his chest in an effort to both stop her fingers from doing anything they shouldn't and keep her from moving away just yet. He needed her near. "I feel badly about it, Fi. That he doesn't have a clue," he said, his voice quiet. "I don't know why it made me so mad to hear that, but...I guess it doesn't matter. It's in the past, yeah? Us?" Cal hated admitting it, but it was true. They'd agreed upon being friends and now they were both seeing other people. There was no going back.

Just as Fi saw Cal look at the kitchen earlier, she caught him glance in the direction of her bedroom. A cacophony of emotions slammed into her all at once, so intensely she nearly went light-headed from them. Or maybe it was being here with him again. The scene of the crime. The last place they truly allowed themselves to be together and give into three months of longing. One night hadn't been enough. Had Fi known it would be the last time, she would've done her best to allude sleep all together. Fi wasn't foolish (yes she was), she knew it was going to be a challenge for them, but she had no idea how much she would struggle with the (shaky) lines they forced themselves to draw between them. She half expected Cal to brush her hands aside so when he covered them instead, her mouth went dry and her breath hitched quietly in her throat but she managed to find her voice. "I do too," admitted quietly as well. And she did. Every time James looked at her, guilt flared up and ate at her conscience. She could tell him. There was no doubt in her mind he'd end things and then she'd be free to...to what? Be happy after blowing up someone's life for own selfish gain? Cal's question made Fi sad. Almost as sad as the morning after when she went into her bedroom and shut the door, unable to watch him walk out of her life again. She didn't want to answer, it was hard enough simply hearing it. So she ignored it, choosing to believe it was rhetorical. Without her permission, her fingers tightened on the lapels of his shirt and she nodded as her gaze dropped to his mouth before she forced it back up. Though, fuck looking into his eyes wasn't any better. "Cal," she dared to lean into him, to torture herself just a bit more. Her heart was hammering away and she said weakly, "you need to push me away."

Cal felt just as dizzy in the moment. He knew the both of them were teetering on a dangerous edge now. Just as they had those weeks ago when he chose to come in for a drink. But so much had changed since then. They'd agreed upon a friendship, she was still very much dating James and now Cal was seeing someone too. In spite of having plenty to drink that night, he knew he couldn't just fall back into old habits. He had to have some resolve. Something he'd always prided himself on throughout his life. Something that so often crumbled every time Fi looked at him just the right way. No, tonight it couldn't happen. They'd just find themselves in the same situation the next morning, and Cal didn't think he hadn't it in him to go through it again.And yet his eyes closed as she grasped the collar of his shirt and leaned in. The scent of vanilla and just..Fi took him over for a moment. It would be so easy to lean down and kiss her now, to pull her flush against him and really feel her again. But her words rang in his ears and he swallowed hard before nodding. Reaching up with both hands now, his fingers curled around hers and gently loosened her grip. He held her hands in his for a moment before letting go with a sigh. "I'm seeing someone, Fi. It's only been a few dates, but she's a good bird. I...I like her. Her name's Eve and she's really sweet, b--" He stopped himself from saying what he really wanted. But she's not you. Cal gritted his teeth, afraid to catch her eye again. But why? He wasn't doing anything wrong, dating Eve. So why did he feel guilty? Especially since Fi had been with James for awhile now. Dating Eve was the right thing to do. The perfect distraction that would hopefully turn into something more. "I just thought you should know," he finally said meekly.

In the history of their relationship, Fi had never asked Cal to push her away. Her plea was tinged with desperation and she didn’t know what she wanted more: for him to completely ignore it or actually listen to her. It’d be easy, all too easy to fall into bed with him, which was why they’d kept their hangout public, aside from Monza. She still thought of that day fondly. The memories warmed her. Cal would never know just how much his presence meant to her that day. The Italian Grand Prix was always such a bittersweet even for Fi. She made the mistake of going by herself once and she swore to never do it again. The absence of her father was one thing, but going solo made it unbearable. As Cal’s hands gently tugged hers from his shirt, Fi sighed in a mixture of disappointment and relief, then squeezed his hands gently as she took a step back from him, as if that would help. He could be in another country and he’d still be on her mind constantly. And then he mentioned Eve and the reminder was like a bucket of cold water dumped on her head. Her eyes snapped up to meet his and narrowed, both at the mention of of her and the sentence he refused to finish. She crossed her arms over her chest and arched a brow. “Oh, i already knew you had a girlfriend, Callum. You sent her to see me, or don’t you remember?” Fi’s words were light, but the look in her gaze was steely. She had no right to feel indignant about him seeing ANYONE, given her current situation. As generous and thoughtful as she was, Fi’s only child syndrome was now on display as she inwardly pouted over not getting what she wanted and worse, watching someone else take it.

Cal wished he'd taken longer to push her away. For a split second they were so close. They were calm and things almost felt right and then she was stepping away from him again. The mood changed almost instantly. At first he thought it was the act of him following through that had upset Fi. But the way her demeanor changed, the way she glared up at him, he soon realized what the issue was. And, although he knew she probably wouldn't be fond of the idea, he truly thought dating someone else was a step in the right direction for them. To be friends and not pining after one another. Now they could both be occupied with other people so it all wasn't so bloody difficult. But it was very clear that Fi didn't quite feel the same way yet. And might not ever. His brow furrowed as she accused him of sending Eve to see her. It hadn't been exactly that, but Cal also found it annoying that Fi saw through it regardless. "She's not my girlfriend, Fi. We've been on three dates. And we were talking about food and you came up, that's all." He knew better than to take her light hearted tone at face value, watching as her eyes darkened at the mere mention of Eve. "I just wanted you to be aware, that's all. I thought you'd be relieved or something. One less thing to worry about." Shrugging, he ran his hands through his hair before they fell back down to his sides again. "She's a teacher and loves history and, I dunno. We've got a lot in common, I guess." Cal wasn't sure why he was still talking. He knew Fi didn't want to hear any of it, but he also needed her to know it was happening. There was another person involved now. One more dragged into whatever game they were playing.

Fi didn't know which was worse, the near dizzying intensity of how much she wanted Cal or the jealousy now rippling through her, making her entire body tense up. She let her emotions rule more often than not, but she was capable of pragmatic thoughts and action. So she knew her reaction to his new girlfriend was completely unfair and highly irrational. But she didn't care. Cal wasn't malicious, but Fi knew there had to be some tiiiiny part of him who sent Eve there not only to try her baked goods but to send a bit of a message. Hell, she would've done the same thing, as petty as she could be. "One less thing to worry about," she repeated him hollowly. "Relieved?" Fi had James and Cal now had Eve. He carried on about her and Fi couldn't help but give him an "are you bloody kidding me right now?" look. She had no control over James being a friend and colleague of Cal's and she rarely if ever was the one to bring him up. She thought back to the morning the pretty blonde came into The Witching Flour. She was friendly, a tentativeness to her but she didn't seem overly shy. She seemed nice and like Cal said sweet. Eve was soft spoken where Fi was decidedly not. She was a teacher which meant she probably had the patience of a saint. And just last week Fi snapped at a little kid for asking why she didn't have any pumpkin pasties. Cal wanted her but he sought out someone the complete opposite of Fi. This realization struck a nerve in Fi. The insecure part of her psyche which told her she was too much, too overwhelming. She uncrossed her arms and fidgeted with the sleeves of her too long pajama shirt. "Yeah, sounds like it, that's good. That you've found someone like that." The sharpness in her tone was gone now and she gave him a forced smile. "She sounds nice." Please don't make me meet her again.

When Cal and Fi dated, they'd never been vindictive with one another. In fact, they'd gotten on quite well considering their very different personalities. So this new territory with her was both surprising and frustrating to him now. He didn't like it, but also found it incredibly easy to get swept up into it. Fi was right about him now. He'd told Eve all about Fi's shop within ten minutes of that first meeting over coffee. The anger he felt over James referring to their relationship as a fling got the better of him in that moment. Later Cal would rationalize that Fi didn't actually mean to dismiss what they'd had together, but by then it was too late and he was more than content to stew over it. That was far from his mind now, though, as Fi so clearly displayed how much she hated this conversation about Eve. "I just...thought it would be easier for us to be friends? Now that I've got someone to occupy my time too," he replied with a shrug. Cal knew the more he spoke, the more he buried himself even deeper, yet he couldn't stop. Going on and on about Eve when Fi had never asked was too far, but he just couldn't help himself. Maybe if he filled the silence between them with words he wouldn't have to think about how this news made Fi feel. While Cal had chosen someone the polar opposite of Fi, he felt similarly after he found out she was dating James. The two men were a lot alike, but Cal was fully aware the type of person that James was. Someone who made friends easily, who was friendly and outgoing, who liked his job just enough, but knew when to set it aside. Where Cal came up short, James exceeded all expectations. He was keenly aware of it and it made him feel like utter shit. And yet he didn't even realize he'd done practically the same thing to Fi by choosing someone like Eve. In his mind, she was just different. Not better, certainly not that. But different and that sounded like a safe bet right now. "I dunno if anything'll come of it. We've been taking it pretty slow. But it's been alright." His tone was dismissive now, trying to backtrack after his word vomit now that he knew she certainly hadn't enjoyed it. But it was too late for that. "Anyway...I guess that's it. I'm sorry for bursting in. I'm sure you've got plenty of work left to do," he said, gesturing to her cupcakes.

"No, I understand." Fi had James, why shouldn't Cal have someone? When they first started dating, she assumed he had a revolving door of women going in and out of his flat, given how gorgeous he was. But as she got to know him better, she soon found he was ignorant to the social cues of women being attracted to him. But Fi picked up on it of course. The smiles and glances shot in Cal's direction while he remained completely unaware. She was possessive over him in a way she'd never been before and it was a jarring realization.And that was when they were dating. There was a certain touch of grief to it all, at least for Fi, because she'd lost someone who once belonged to her. But when he began to retreat and walk back everything he said she immediately felt like an asshole. Cal deserved happiness, a woman to care about and come home to at night. She didn't want him miserable. So she shrugged and with faked levity, she smiled again. "I do, but it's alright," then she hesitated and looked between Cal and the cupcakes. "Do you wanna hang out for a little bit and help me? I'll be good," she hurried to add and gave a self-deprecating laugh as she glanced down at her 10 year old frayed and worn pajamas. "Despite my seductive attire. You don't have to and I completely understand if you need to go," Fi knew she was grasping at straws, but she didn't want him to leave. Not yet. Or ever.

While Fi's possessiveness of him had started while they dated, Cal's was a little delayed. Just as he was clueless to most social cues from women he wasn't already seeing, he hadn't paid much attention to who else might have been drooling over Fi when they were together. He of course realized that she was beautiful and had a personality to match, but he just simply wasn't aware of any competition. Yet now, over the span of a few weeks, Cal suddenly understood that possessive feeling. It was foreign to him and somewhat jarring, yet almost felt as if it were out of his control. Seeing her with James made Cal anxious and testy. He couldn't hardly stand to look at them together. Why he thought Fi would welcome Eve with open arms was a mystery, if he truly thought about it. But not thinking things through had been a sort of theme with him these days. Cal was ready to leave now, knowing he'd overstayed his short welcome and expecting her to tell him good riddance. But she didn't. Instead she smiled, this one a bit more genuine than before. He was surprised when she asked him to stay. Of course, his first thought was the last time she'd suggested the same thing, but it was almost as though she read his mind. Chuckling slightly, he shrugged and looked at the cupcakes again, weighing his options. Go home alone and be miserable until he finally fell asleep or stay with Fi. Even just watching her as she worked sounded better than drinking himself to sleep. "Well since you're promising not to seduce me, I reckon I can stay," he teased, though he wondered if it was possible for him not to be seduced by her, even when she wasn't trying. Truth be told, he found her just as attractive in frayed pajamas as he did in that blue dress she wore on their first date. "Just make sure you give me an easy job. You know how bad I am at all of this."

Fi wondered if her offer sounded as desperate as she felt inside. It was obvious both were willing to go to great lengths (despite the emotional angst involved) to stay in each other's lives. But some days their situation seemed tenuous and far too fragile for her liking. She worried one day Cal would hit his limit, decide it'd all become untenable and walk out of her life again. So as upset as she was learning about Eve, it wasn't enough for Fi to want him to leave her flat. Cal agreed to stay and this time when she smiled it was genuine, reached her eyes and the tension drained from her shoulders and they finally relaxed. "No sexiness, I swear," she held up her hands in surrender and then moved into the kitchen where the two dozen cupcakes were finally cooled down. She rolled up her sleeves and handed him a bowl filled with thick white Italian buttercream. Then two small bottles of food dye, one red, one blue. "Y'know the color wheel, right? I need to make purple frosting. Three drops of red, three drops of blue. And then gently, fold it in? Like um, like the way you fold your newspapers?" Fi then thought of when she did a crossword puzzle (badly) in his morning paper and he got a bit huffy as he stuffed it in his work bag. "Nevermind. Just don't be rough with it." Fi instructed as she took the other one, grabbed two more bottles of food coloring and went to work. She watched him work and smiled at him every now and then. "Kinda like our first date, yeah?" She said it without thinking, which made her think of what else went on during their first date and she blushed, ducked her head and reached for a piping bag. "Are you, you're coming to my birthday thing, right? Nothing major, just a get together at a pub."

Fi’s desperation was only matched by Cal‘s now. He’d come up to drunkenly give her a piece of his mind and still didn’t want to leave. The gravitational pull between them was evident, even though they were trying so hard to ignore it. As they promised one another not to seduce the other, Cal wondered if it was even possible. To not be attracted to Fi. To not want to kiss her or even just (somewhat innocently) touch her. Shaking the thought from his head, he took the bowl and food coloring from her. Glad for the instructions, he peered in the bowl. Surely this wouldn’t be too difficult. He dropped in the food coloring and then looked back at her. “Assuming I use the spatula and not my hands, yeah?” He joked as he reached for it. “So no angry newspaper folding is what you’re saying. Like when you interrupted me 50 times as I tried to read one article?” It was impossible not to joke and tease with Fi, even when tensions were high. As he set to work, Cal’s mind wondered a little. And, just as she mentioned their first date, he laughed as the same thought crossed his own. “I’m going to be a little better at this than I was then. I hope.” And then he thought about their first kiss and how she looked sitting on the work table, completely naked. Much like she had weeks before in this very kitchen. Fuck. It was difficult to focus. “Hmm? Oh yeah, I’ll be there for sure. What do you want for your birthday, love?”

From the beginning, humour became their comfort zone. A way to gently tease and flirt. Fi remembered being so delightfully surprised at Cal's wit, his self-deprecation considering their rocky start where no one had been laughing. He could be serious, downright grumpy even but when he broke from it to snicker or give one of his big laughs, it made Fi immeasurably happy. He didn't go and the ticking time bomb feel of the room faded away. But she was still hyperaware they were alone in her flat. Again. Like before he stormed in, she was grateful for the distraction. Busy hands stopped them from turning wandering ones. "As good as you are with your hands, spatula please," unable to help herself. She accepted it a while ago, her inability to stop flirting with him. Fi stuck her tongue out and rolled her eyes. "It wasn't fifty! And I needed to know what you thought of my dress!" ...and the six others she tried on that morning before they went out to brunch. "And I made up for the crossword puzzle incident," she added. Fi swore she saw steam come out of Cal's ears that morning as he looked down at the massacred puzzle, while asking incredulously - "Did you ADD boxes to make this word fit?" She felt bad, had gone out and bought a small book of them right before he went on a trip in case he wanted to work on one during his down time. "If you're better at this, then I think the icing will spontaneously combust," Fi paused and her face flushed bright red, suddenly realizing he very well could've been talking about the cookies they never got around to making, not the sex which followed in her kitchen. And her bedroom later that night. Whhhhyyy had she brought it up? She remembered how ravenous they'd been for each other as they crossed a line they never wanted to draw again. Bit like now, really, but try as they might, the line kept fading away. Fi cleared her throat and shrugged. "I don't need gifts," ironic from someone who was part niffler. "I just want you there," she said softly, a twinge of sadness suddenly in her tone. But she smoothly tried to move past it. As they finished the icing, she filled two piping bags with it and gave Cal a couple of extra cupcakes she always made so he could test out his skills which were...admittedly not good. So as expected, she took over as he ate them. They chatted, flirted, tried to ignore the sexual tension thickly blanketing them. Only made worse when he came behind her in the kitchen to help himself to a glass of whiskey and she accidentally turned at the same time. For a few seconds they were face to face touching, it was a toss up as to who pulled back first, but the damage was done. It was nearly 2 am when Fi was done. Admittedly she had dragged it out a bit and after cleaning up she yawned and rubbed at her eyes. She still had half a glass of wine and as she looked at Cal, dread filled her. "It's late. Do you um, want to sleepover? On the couch," she rushed to add the last part. No way in hell they could sleep in the same bed. Not after Monza.

There was always a push and pull when it came to the two of them. Cal being far too serious about things like crossword puzzles, Fi having fun making up her own rules and then feeling badly and buying him his own book of puzzles. Fi getting too mouthy at that wedding, Cal attempting to reel her in and then, not wanting to squash her spirit, easily brushing it aside. Being so different, they had plenty to disagree about, but it never seemed to last for long. Even tonight, as angry as he'd been, all it took was for one of them to soften a little and the other followed suit. "Your dress?" he scoffed, looking up from his job to roll his eyes at her. "You tried on your whole bloody wardrobe all while I was trying to read about a 15th century cursed manuscript case." He was smirking now, thinking of the crossword puzzles and every other time Fi had insisted on having his attention. It was a habit of his, becoming so focused on something (mostly work) that he ignored everyone around him. But she was always able to break through. And, while he had his moments of finding it annoying, he also missed it when she wasn't around. Now he found himself distracted by her yet again, though this time for very different reasons. As he caught her eye and her very red face, he laughed a little nervously. Ducking his head, he turned his attention back to the bowl while his mind still insisted on going elsewhere. "Uh...is that the right color?" he asked in an attempt to get both of their minds out of the gutter, tilting the bowl for her to see. "You don't need gifts? So I can take back all the shiny things I've bought you then?" he teased, but quickly stopped when she mentioned him being there. "I wouldn't miss it, love. Promise." Cal smiled softly before taking the piping bag from her. He hated being bad at things so he made Fi show him several times before ever attempting his own. After a few not so successful tries, he let out a huff and put the bag down for good. "All of them look like a toddler bloody well made them," he grumbled, wiping his hands on a nearby towel and deciding he'd be better off as moral support. The rest of the night, watching and chatting with Fi as she worked, felt normal, comfortable. Even as they inevitably flirted here and there, it put Cal at ease somehow. Of course there were some awkward moments too, but as he helped her clean up he found himself wishing for the night not to end. When she suggested him staying over though he almost shut her down. Thinking of that night a few weeks ago and then after Monza when they woke up tangled together, though thankfully nothing more than that happened. When she mentioned the couch, he nodded though. "Uh...yeah, I could stay on the couch. If you think that's alright?"

"Yes, it's perfect!" Fi smiled as she peered into the bowl of frosting. Ever since they met, baking was one of the many things she tugged Cal into. She wasn't trying to turn him into a star baker, but she liked sharing her passions with people she care. "Love, it doesn't look that bad," Fi was able to surprise the smile but not the amusement in her eyes. Cal was such a type A perfectionist, she was certain he hated a piping bag took him down. This man... but then she went right back to finishing up. Before they were picked up tomorrow she'd throw a charm on them to make the frosted swirls twist and turn into one another while cycling through various shades of purple. Fi was grasping at straws. There was no real reason for him to sleepover, they both knew she was using the late hour to her advantage. It wasn't like Monza, where they stumbled back into her flat close to 3 am, far too drunk and still exhilarated from the day in Italy. They'd collapsed in a mess of limbs on her bed and ironically, for once, the alcohol worked in their favor because they passed out almost instantly. Fi woke first, head hurting, half sprawled on a man she never thought would be in her bed ever again. But instead of getting up and moving to the couch, she merely snuggled back into Cal once she realized they still had on all their clothes. If she thought it was alright. Of course it bloody wasn't but she didn't care. To answer his question, Fi walked into her bedroom and came out with a giant fluffy blanket and two pillows which she set on her large sectional. Without hesitation she grabbed her wine glass and sat on the couch and patted the space beside her. She wanted more than late night conversation, but other things weren't on the table. In the morning she woke, immediately disappointed when she realized Cal was in her flat, but not in her bed. Nearly 10 am and she left her room and padded quietly into her living room where he seemed to still be asleep. Her chest ached as she paused to look at him, then walked into her kitchen and busied herself with making coffee.

i shouldn't be jealous, you're not even mine

Fi was still reeling from seeing Cal with Eve, dealing with the chaotic mess of emotions it awoke in her. The irritation and jealousy, while unwelcome, upon further reflection wasn’t surprising in the least. She’d never fancied herself to be a petty, envious bird, but then again, this was before she met Callum Sinclair. It was the pain, the way it sliced into her every time she looked at him with Eve. Saw them exchange affection that looked like it’d been lived in, the sort born from habit. No hesitation at all. Made her think of all the times she’d reach for Cal’s hand without even really thinking about it. The easy slide of his arms as they wrapped around her from behind, tugged her back against his chest and she felt the warmth of his face as it nuzzled into her neck. This sort of hurt when she was around him was new and Fi didn’t fucking like it. So she’d simply been avoiding him. It was a lose-lose situation anyway. Without him, the longing was a dull ache. With him it was still there, but amplified. And she didn't need to ask what happened after he and Eve left the pub that night, had spent far too much time mulling over it. Her attention was no longer divided between the two men - though Cal never strayed too far from her mind. Fi stopped going by Gringott’s. If Cal felt a morsel of what she felt every time he saw her and James together… so her lunch visits stopped. Except for the one day James insisted she come back with him because he wanted to gift her with something he left in his office. On the way out, she nearly collided with Cal in the hallway and what followed was a mess of stammered words, downcast looks which turned into heated gazes and Fi mumbling, "Good to see you love, sorry I have to, I just gotta go." When all she wanted to say was, "I hate this, I miss you. I need you." Aside from that, it’d been nearly a week since the two "friends" had actually seen each other in person, which was unusual despite the circumstances. They'd chatted via parchment (because she couldn’t bring herself to cut off complete contact) but that had been about it. “Sorry, love I have to work late,” was Fi’s ready-made excuse when Cal reached out with an invite for drinks the first time. She felt guilty lying to him, so she did actually stay at work later. Which was a shoddy excuse, given how many times he’d been to her shop after hours to see her. Now, earlier today he’d asked again and without thinking, she said she had plans with James. Which wasn’t exactly a lie, since she hurried to try and make it into a truth only to find out he had to work late to prepare for an upcoming trip. So at 7 pm Fi was camped out in a small booth in one of the few pubs she frequented often enough to be recognized by some of the employees. There were cookbooks spread out in front of her along with a plate of chips doused in vinegar and ketchup and a half full pint of pear cider beside it. Knees drawn up nearly to her chest with a sketchbook balanced on them, she was in the midst of sketching out a cake idea for an upcoming hen party. The front door opened nearby and as Cal walked in, her body immediately reacted. Joy at seeing him followed by discomfort as she wondered if Eve was right behind him. And the dread had her further burrowing into her drawing.

Cal had been so put out every time Fi stopped by the bank to see James and it only seemed to get worse with each visit. So one would think he would have been relieved when she stopped coming around, but of course it couldn't be that simple. At first he wondered (a bit too happily) if the two had broken up, but that theory was quick debunked when he heard James talking about taking Fi to dinner later that day. Cal had grumbled to himself over it of course, but then remembered he had no real right to be upset. He and Eve had been seeing each other for a few weeks now and, whenever they were together, he was perfectly content. They'd fallen into an easy rhythm with each other, one that he didn't think was possible again. It was only when they were apart that he let his mind wander to Fi, to wonder what she might be doing or if she missed him as much as he did her. And then he felt guilty. Why did he keep thinking about her? They'd broken up and ultimately decided to remain friends. He had no right to stake his claim on her now. She was with James and, perhaps worse, he was with Eve.In spite of the shame he felt for still wanting her when they were both happily taken by others, Cal couldn't resist reaching out to Fi. Even then it was just casual messages back and forth, him offering to meet up with her and her having other plans. The closest he'd been to seeing her was the day she popped back into the bank and they all but ran each other down. The interaction was strained and, despite being excited to see her, made him feel worse somehow. It really did seem as though the friendship they'd agreed on was impossible now. In some ways, it felt like Cal lost her all over again the week before. He'd decided to focus on Eve these last few days and, if he didn't count the constant thought of Fi in the back of his mind, they'd been getting on well together. They'd spent a few nights together now and Cal truly had no complaints about any of it. But, when Eve mentioned she was going away for a few days to visit family, his mind automatically went back to Fi. And Fi turned him down yet again, blaming plans with James as the reason. Cal thought it was odd since he knew James had a job coming up that was requiring quite a bit of research, but he also didn't consider that she would be lying to him. Cal stayed late at the office that evening as well, having neither Eve or Fi available for distraction. Finally, just before 7:00, he decided to leave the bank and get a drink before heading home. On his way out, he passed the conference room where James and a few other curse breakers had set up camp, parchments strewn across the large table in the middle. It was then he overheard them laughing and James' voice saying "ah, yeah, it's great. You know how Italian women are. Very passionate." Cal could hear the smirk in the other man's voice long before he peered in through the doorway and caught it on James' face. Pausing for half a second, he glared at James before ultimately deciding to keep walking. What a fucking prick. By the time he'd made it down the street to the pub, he was fuming over what he'd overheard. Not just that, of course, but everything about James that just seemed so wrong. Deep down Cal knew he was a good guy, but not good enough for Fi. What could she possibly see in him? He was still mulling it all over when he entered the pub...and all but locked eyes with Fi of all people. Excitement was his first reaction too, but then she ducked her head again and all their issues came flooding back to him. Knowing he had no other option, he decided it was best to greet her regardless. Neither could deny they'd seen the other at this point and maybe they could make it quick. James was probably not far behind him now anyway. Sighing, he walked over to stand near her booth. "Er, hi. Guess we have a bad habit of showing up at the same pubs, huh?" he attempted to joke. "James is still back at the office, if you're waiting on him. Which I'm sure you are. Anyway...I'm just gonna get a drink at the bar and head home, so I'll get out of your hair."

Fi knew her visits to James was also an excuse to see Cal. More than a few times she’d deliberately gotten there early so she could snag some time with him. Everyone who knew Fi knew the woman ran anywhere from five-ten minutes late. If Cal saw through her blatant plan, he never let on. Time alone with him these days always felt like a gift. Unfortunately, it was one she always had to give back and often left her feeling a bit empty. She liked James, had from the beginning. And if she didn’t know how it felt to be with Cal, she’d be fine. More than fine. It was easy being with James. They got along. Laughed together, had a lot in common. Were compatible in all the right areas. He was flawed yes, but who wasn’t? She also wondered how happy he was in their relationship. Just yesterday, he had asked about Cal, if she’d seen him recently. His question was said with no suspicion, but when Fi shrugged and muttered it was when they ran into him and Eve, she noticed the satisfaction on his face. He wasn’t blind, but he also didn’t know Fi had cheated on him with Cal. A guilt she now carried around permanently. It lay dormant unless she was with James. Could she and Cal ever really be just friends? Despite their best efforts, she wasn’t so sure anymore and it depressed the hell out of her. She didn’t want to lose him a third time, the mere thought of it made her want to cry. But she also couldn’t happily sit back and watch his relationship with Eve flourish, smile and pretend it didn’t curdle her insides. Fi was confused and anxious about all of it. Fi knew he’d seen her. And in the midst of ducking, she felt like a Grade A Cow. She’d feel horrible if he’d done that to her. Just as she was going to get up and find him he appeared before her. Despite everything, she felt the same rush of excitement he felt a few minutes ago. Before she tried to ignore him. With a guilty expression she shook her head. “No, I’m not waiting on him, join me?” As her question lingered in the air, her server popped by and without batting an eyelash, Fi said “I’m good thank you, but can he get a fire whiskey on the rocks?” Out of habit, she slid over in the booth to make room for Cal. When they had hung out recently if there was a booth they still shared the same side like the couple they no longer were. But then caught herself and motioned to the space across from her. Fi looked at Cal and blurted out, “I don’t have plans with James. I’m sorry, please don’t be mad. I was worried your hang out with you meant ‘us’ and I,” she dropped her voice and shifted uncomfortably, “I’m having a difficult time with it, you and your new girlfriend.”

It wasn't for lack of trying that Cal hadn't seen Fi lately. As much as he hated witnessing her and James' together, it was still somehow better than not being around her at all. Where Fi struggled to accept his relationship with Eve, Cal wasn't given much of a choice when it came to her and James. He'd come back into her life when that relationship was already established. And after they slept together again, it was clear to him that Fi chose James. So he did his best to accept it. What choice did he have? He'd always been a measured man and he was trying his best to remain that way even though the situation tested him at every turn. Even knowing all of this and watching as Fi first acted as though she didn't see him, Cal couldn't help approaching her. It felt like magnets pulled them together sometimes, as though he had no control over it. Tonight was no different. But he was guarded now, more than usual. He had to be for the sake of not just himself but everyone involved. Confused when she shrugged off meeting James, he watched as Fi both ordered his drink for him and then attempted to make room so he could next to her. Any other day and it would have been standard, but tonight he knew none of this was normal. As she gestured to the bench across from her, Cal stared at it for a moment, unsure if he should sit. The last time he'd shared a space with her had been disastrous and he didn't know if he had it in him again. But then she admitted James wasn't coming at all. Sighing, he sat down across from her, eyes darting to all the books strewn across the table. It looked like something he would do when he worked and needed to get away from the quiet of the office or his flat. Resting his elbows on the table, he leaned forward to take a closer look, anything to prolong this awkward conversation a little longer. But then she mentioned Eve and he flinched. "I wouldn't invite you out to be a third wheel, Fi. At least not on purpose. I just...I missed you. Things are so bloody weird between us. I thought Eve would make it simpler, I suppose. You're happy with James, yeah? I thought if I could find someone too, it would be easier to be friends. Now it feels like we're even further apart than before..."

Fi saw the hesitation flicker across Cal's face and she held her breath, waiting to see if he walked away. She couldn't really blame him, given she'd been blatantly avoiding him since the impromptu double date last week. But when he finally slid down, she exhaled softly in relief. It'd barely been a week since they last saw each other and as she looked at him across the table it took every bit of her self-control not to crawl over it and onto his lap like she'd done so many times before. She hated all of this. No matter how hard they tried to make their friendship work, it only seemed to grow more difficult, like grasping at straws. But contrary to her behavior, she did want to see him. Too much. Ever since they met he'd become part of her life, whether he was physically in it or not. "Sorry," Fi mumbled as she collected the books and stacked them in a small pile on her side. "I have a hen party coming up and I can't get inspired, my head's been a bit...fuzzy." The server returned with Cal's drink and Fi pressed her lips together, unsure what to say when everything she wanted to say was wrong. She had James and now Cal had Eve but instead of making it easier, it only seemed to make it worse. Third wheel caused Fi to flinch. Because that's what she'd be. A spare. Unnecessary. He was right, it felt like there was a chasm separating them and she hated it just as much as she did. "I'm happy," she conceded, but there was doubt in her tone and a furrow of her brow. She was, right? But it'd admittedly been more difficult lately. Fi reached for one of his hands, suddenly needing some sort of physical contact with him. "I'm sorry. I didn't know seeing you and Eve together would," make me feel so fucking gutted, like losing you all over again, "effect me the way it has. And I know it's not fair. All those times I've visited James at work..." she trailed off, wondering if Cal knew he was part of the reasons for the visits. "I've missed you. I miss you so much."

"No, it's fine. I'm sorry for interrupting your work." Cal wanted to stop her cleaning up the books, but she was quick about it. She obviously hadn't wanted to see him and yet here he was, barging in on her anyway. There'd been a lot of that lately, he knew. Most of it had been on accident, but he still felt guilty about it. It was all suddenly becoming clear to him. She was uncomfortable having him around. And why wouldn't she be? He'd jeopardized her relationship with James by following her home that night weeks ago and now he wouldn't go away. Cal felt like such an idiot. Why had he kept insisting on being in her life when it was clear she was better off without him? The realization hit him like a ton of bricks now and he suddenly felt the urge to just get up and run away. He was about to do just that, apologize yet again and promise not to bother her, when the server brought his drink. If Fi hadn't reached out and grabbed his hand in that very moment, Cal would have followed through and excused himself. But now, as she spoke, he was just as confused as ever. What kind of tangled mess had they gotten themselves into? Sighing, he reached up and rested his other hand on top of hers, unable to not touch her. "I know how you feel. Watching you with James...it just made me realize how stupid I was to let you go. I'm sorry I did. I--" He paused, deciding elaborating would just make the situation worse. "I miss you too. I did after we broke up and I still do. But I want you to be happy. And if that's with James, then so be it. And...if it's easier for me to go away, then I will. You have every right to be happy with someone else, love." Cal swallowed hard, knowing what he was suggesting and knowing that it was the right choice for her, but also terrified that she would agree.

“No, you’re not interrupting me at all.” Cal’s apology made her heart sink. In trying to preserve her feelings, she’d damaged his in the process and immediately Fi felt horrible. Wasn’t this supposed to be the better solution? In many ways, it was preferable, but in others… guilt seemed to always be the emotion du jour when she was with James. It didn’t encapsulate their relationship, but it was always there, lingering around like a backdrop hidden in the shadows of a play. She felt guilty because when she wasn’t with him, another man occupied her mind. Guilty because she cheated on him. It’d be one thing if her night with Cal was just a throwaway passion caused by too many drinks and thoughtless actions. But it’d been so much more than that, she’d been ready to end things with James the following morning. Often when she was alone, Fi still thought about it. The slide of his hand atop hers was such a simple, innocent touch, but it comforted her. “I wish you hadn’t either. I wish I’d fought harder for us, because - “ like Cal, she didn’t feel the need to elaborate, they both know the end of her sentence. then we’d be together. They’d be so happy and maybe that’s what made this all so difficult, at least for Fi. Knowing they were so damn good together. “Wait, what?” The gravity of his words really hit and she shook her head back and forth, an unhappy expression on her face.She then shattered whatever physical boundary the table offered. Fi slid over beside him before he had a chance to protest and pulled him into a hug, while whispering, “Cal, no, no…” The solid heat of him, his scent warmed her instantly , making Fi truly realize what a mistake their week apart had been. She pulled back and finally caught his gaze with hers. “Do you, is that what you want?” There was a touch of desperation in it, suddenly worried he’d already made up his mind and there was nothing she could do to dissuade him. After all, he had the right to be happy too. What if she’d become just a hindrance in his own relationship?

Never in his life had Cal wanted to go back in time more. If he could just go back and tell himself that, yes, the next few months would be busy with work, but that Fi would stick around. Not just stick around but want to be around. That she wouldn't resent him for caring about his work so much. But it was too late for all of that now and he knew he needed to accept it. It was the best thing to do for himself and for Fi. Cal made the mistake of letting her go, but he knew he couldn't keep holding her back either. It wasn't fair and it was far too late. If leaving her alone made things easier for Fi, then so be it. As much as he didn't want it to happen, he would go if she said the word. But then she was next to him. It was so sudden and they'd been so far away for so long, both physically and emotionally, that it was shocking to him. Still, his arms instinctively wrapped around her as she pulled him into a hug. Cal let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding and closed his eyes for a moment. When she pulled back again, he reluctantly met her gaze. For a moment, he thought about lying to her, knowing it would be easier for Fi if he just walked away for good. But, selfishly, he couldn't do it. "No. It's not what I want at all. But if it's what you need, I get it. I know it's hard, being around each other now. If this friendship thing isn't going to work, I understand." The thing was, being around Fi was hard for him too, but he'd had longer to process it. Eve was new and, maybe it would get easier for Fi too. Or maybe it wouldn't and they were just prolonging the inevitable.

For someone so accustomed to voicing nearly every thought which flit into her mind, for whatever reason, Fi found herself swallowing down most of them with Cal. At least when it came to what she really wanted from him. She wanted another chance. She wanted to break up with James and put them both out their misery. She wanted him to end things with Eve. She wanted him. And though it was obvious they both had the same regrets, they weren’t the only ones involved now. James had been forced to witness their awkward little dance and now Eve was in the picture, another hapless victim. It’d be so easy to hate Eve and while Fi hated the idea of her, it ended there. But it didn’t stop her from l silently comparing herself to the blonde. Take stock of everything Eve had that she lacked. Or stop the feelings of petty jealousy. And just as Cal had thought plenty of times about James, Fi now did too: what if he was better with Eve? She was the glossy, smooth water leftover after a storm, Fi the churning, unpredictable waves during it. But then she remembered what he said last week…”I chose her because I can’t have you.” She wasn’t sure if those words made her feel better or worse. What she did know was how good it felt to be near Cal again. The easy strength of his arms as they wrapped around her in a returning hug. She wanted to hold on and even as they pulled back her hands slid from around his neck to rest on his arms. There was a resignation in Cal’s tone but what he said sent a wave of relief through Fi. “No,” said in a tone of pure stubbornness he was accustomed to by now. She turned her body into his and without asking permission nuzzled against him, the crown of her hair resting just below his chin. “We’ll make it work. I’m sorry about this week. I missed you. I don’t want you out of my life. Not again. I can’t stand the idea of not knowing you. And my chocolate croissant sales would plummet. I’d have to close up shop.” She looked up at him at the attempt at levity but there was hope in her gaze.

Where Fi was often an open book, Cal was the opposite. Keeping his thoughts and feelings locked up tightly, both afraid to feel them himself and also admit them to anyone else. Ever the defense mechanism, he was finding it increasingly difficult to keep some of these things from Fi now. Because he'd been pragmatic all those months ago, leaving how much he cared for her out of the equation, he'd lost her. He'd gone months without her only to realize now that he'd thrown his opportunity with her away for good. If a friendship was all they could give each other, Cal had to be okay with that. And he had to open up to her now. Cal truly liked Eve, but deep down he also knew she couldn't hold a candle to Fi. Both were so different, but even with Eve being as wonderful as she was, it just wasn't the same. Ever the practical one, he reasoned that they just needed time. He could learn to be just as attracted to her as he was to Fi. Probably. Surely it was possible. And, if not Eve, maybe someone else out there. When Fi's hands came down to rest on his arms, his slid around to her waist. He looked at her for a moment, grateful to be this close to her again, and grateful that she also didn't want to end whatever it was they had together now. Friendship. Just a simple friendship. As she tucked herself back into him, his hand come up to rest on the back of her head as he took a deep breath. "You don't need to apologize. I know it's not ideal, but we can figure it out. I'll try to be less of a pain in the arse," he promised, a hint of a smile forming on his lips. "If only for the sake of your shop."

For the first time since they met, Fi was hiding parts of herself from Cal. She didn't like it, but was convinced it was for the greater good for the three, well, now four of them. She didn't believe honesty was always the best policy, not when it was wielded like a weapon and would only leave destruction in its wake. It's why she hoped James never found out about her night with Cal. All it would bring him was hur. Not to mention possibly mess things up at Gringott's. There was already some new found tension between the two men, another issue she felt guilty over. For the first time in a week, Fi was able to breathe again. The longer she sat with Cal, curled up against him, the knot of tension in her stomach began to unfurl. She regretted holding him an arm's length away. So once again, they were starting over it seemed. Friends. Pals. The absurdity was lost on Fi, because a simple friendship would probably never exist between them, but she'd rather ignore the harsh reality if it meant she got to keep Cal. "And I'll try to be less of cow," she promised in return with a soft laugh. "Thank you, we can't have the best bakery in London close." Fi knew she should move back to her side of the table but being near him again was like a salve. So instead, she reached over the table and grabbed her sketchbook, and flipped it open to reveal a sketch of a...penis cake. Fi rested her head against his chest (friends did that, right?) and pointed at it with her index finger. "It's for a hen party. But do you think I should do one big giant dick cake? Or just little penis shaped cupcakes?" And unable to help herself, she said as innocently as possible, "And if I need to do some more research to make it look more realistic, are you busy after this?" A teasing question she'd never ask in front of their partners and one had they been dating, Cal would've made good on later. But they were friends now. Super pals and they joked around, right?

Cal couldn't pinpoint why keeping Fi in his life was so important to him. They'd known each other less than a year, dated for far less than that and yet it didn't seem to matter. The gravitational pull that kept him coming back to her was undeniable. He, of course, wished it could go back to how things were between them before they broke up, but it couldn't be. So friends it was. Whatever the hell that meant. Cal understood what a platonic friendship looked like, but the way he and Fi went about it was far from that. For now he'd have to shrug it off. Because it was a hell of a lot better than nothing. So, instead of dwelling on how this would ever really work, he blatantly ignored the thought and enjoyed the fact that Fi was near him now. Not just near but curled up into him in a way that made him feel comfortable for the first time in a long time. As she pulled her sketchbook over, Cal let out a loud, appreciative laugh at her penis cake drawing. It was the last thing he expected to see and yet shouldn't have been that surprising, being Fi. "One giant dick cake is the way to go, love. It's funnier, for one, and I imagine all those birds will get a kick out of cutting into it. Even though the thought makes me cringe a little." He chuckled as he looked at her drawing and shook his head. "I suppose I could help. Looks like you've got the head all wrong, though. Unless that's what James' looks like and, well...might want to get that checked out." He couldn't resist a dig at the other man, though he played it off as a lighthearted joke. Which is technically was.

Cal had effortlessly gotten under Fi's skin in a way no other man had. Maybe it was because their story got slammed shut and locked up mid chapter. Or it was the regret she fought with as soon as she agreed to the break up, amplified as time passed and she continued to think about him. But really it was just him. They were two magnets, unable to be completely pulled apart, no matter the circumstances and in this case, the consequences. Being in the booth together, pressed up against him, to any innocent bystander they looked like a happy couple. Because fRiENds didn't cuddle in crowded pubs. Mere friendship had never effected Fi this way. Simply being near Cal made her simultaneously calm and exhilarated. And the warmth of his laugh chased goosebumps along her bare skin. Fi took his dig at James in stride, but rolled her eyes and playfully elbowed him in the side with a stern, "Be nice or I won't let you buy me another drink." They sat there for another hour or two and of course Fi insisted on walking Cal home "In case someone tries to mug you," but ended their night with a chaste kiss to his cheek to at the entrance to his building. After that, they once again dove headfirst back into whatever it was they'd been doing before. Fi still limited her visits to the bank but not her communication with Cal. They talked often, flirted inappropriately and managed to see each other a few times leading up to her birthday. James knew, because Fi told him. But lately, his patience seemed to be wearing thin with her and in particular her 'friendship' with Cal. Two days before her birthday the two got into their first row. James' question was innocuous enough, something about a Thai restaurant near her shop and Fi replied "Oh, we should go there, Cal and I used to get takeout from there all the time." Maybe it was the all the time or the way she mentioned him again, but James retort was a snarky, "You two used to do a lot of things together, I bet." From there it escalated. James took digs at Cal and their relationship, she defended both and it only pissed him off more. She left his flat angry and an hour later he was gently knocking on her door, armful of flowers, mouthful of apologies. So, they rallied and though the remnants of it still lingered, those feelings too were shoved down. By the time her birthday arrived they seemed to have recovered. The party was more of a get together, far from a grand affair. Fifteen or so people (a mix of her friends and some of James/Cal's friends/colleagues) at one of her favorite pubs. There were balloons, party hats and lots of shiny decorations. When Cal arrived, Fi was mid conversation with one of their friends and she grinned and excused herself and hurried over to him. "Cal!" She immediately pulled him into a warm hug, forgetting for a moment it wasn't just the two of them. She pulled back and when Eve entered a few seconds later, the happy light in her eyes visibly dimmed and she stiffened. Her smile vanished, but tried to recover. Of course he was going to bring Eve. He hadn't told her, but.. it made sense. Her arms dropped from Cal and she took a step back, "Hi Eve, good to see you, thanks for coming. Sorry, if you'll excuse me," and then she vanished back to pick up the convo she left. James joined her and she missed the glare he cut towards Cal's way.

Cal had spent the last week in ignorant bliss. He was more than happy that Fi was talking to him again and very much enjoyed their lunch meet ups and near constant messages. And things had been good with Eve too. He had plenty of fun with her and enjoyed her company when she was available. All that to say, he was paying little to no mind to James. With Fi not stopping by the bank as often, Cal really hadn't thought much about her relationship with the other man. Work hadn't brought them together lately either so Cal really had no reason to worry about him. Which was a little ironic considering how much Cal unknowingly bothered James now. Of course, Fi didn't share details of their relationship now either, so he had no idea they'd been arguing lately. When it came to Fi's birthday party, he flip flopped several times about bringing Eve along. Ultimately though the deciding factor was that he would like someone to hang out with if he was going to also have to watch Fi and James together in a social setting again. Ever the distraction, Eve was the most logical choice. She'd been happy to oblige going, mentioning how sweet Fi was and that she couldn't wait to celebrate her. Eve even went out the day of the party and bought Fi a bouquet of flowers as a gift, all on her own accord. Still, Cal was somewhat anxious about the four of them being in the same room again. The last time it happened, it hadn't ended well. So it was with some nervous energy that he entered the pub with Eve following just behind him. Fi caught sight of him immediately and he readily greeted her with the same warm hug and a smile. "Happy Birthday, love..." Cal trailed off as he noticed Fi realizing Eve came along. Maybe he should have asked if it was ok to bring a guest? "Happy Birthday, Fi! These are for you. Tell me you aren't allergic to peonies. I asked Cal and he was about as helpful as you can imagine," Eve said, laughing and handing the flowers over to her. And just like that Fi was gone again. Eve didn't seem to notice the abrupt exit, probably recognizing that Fi needed to mingle with all the other guests too. But Cal was a little frustrated. It felt like she was avoiding him all over again. He noticed as James joined her side across the room, and he locked eyes with him just in time to catch his glare. What was that about? "Hey, love, let's get some drinks, yeah? And I want to try the food too," Eve said in his ear as she tugged on his arm. "Huh? Oh yeah, definitely. Let's get a drink..." he muttered, looking down at the small gift box in his hand. The atmosphere suddenly felt a bit stifling. Maybe they could stay for a bit, give Fi her present and then go.

Fi laughed along with Eve, the sound fake, but she was trying. "Thank you, Eve. They're beautiful," and her tone went warm with genuine gratitude. It was unfair to James and Eve, the way they had carried on last week. When they were together, they behaved as they didn't have significant others. Their flirtations often skirted inappropriate and while they mostly kept their hands to themselves, they came up with any and all reasons to touch one another. A stray hair of Fi's tucked behind an ear, the way she leaned into Cal the other night when they were at a pub. It was so noisy and friends tried to listen and hear one another, right? In the back of her mind, Fi knew Eve would be there on Cal's arm. So she tried to steel her mind. But no amount of preparation could ready you for seeing someone you wanted with another, it'd always sting. Like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on all the events of last week turning it into a mirage. At her own party, Fi was suddenly on edge, and she wasn't quite as effervescent as before. If James noticed (and he had) he didn't say anything, merely wrapped an arm around Fi's waist possessively. The night carried on smoothly and while Fi didn't go out of her way to avoid Cal and Eve, she didn't buddy up to them. Luckily she had the excuse of being the birthday girl and she flit throughout the crowd. Three glasses of champagne in and she'd finally found her stride. She thrived in social situations and at one point sat with the couple and made an attempt at conversation, thanked Eve for the flowers again and politely asked how her week had been - which she regretted instantly as the blonde began talking about a restaurant Cal took her to. Fi's eyes glazed over as she nodded and gave so many forced smiles they were beginning to feel like her factory setting with them. When Eve excused herself, Fi sighed in relief and turned to Cal, their knees bumping against one another and grinned. "I'm really glad," she began but her gaze shifted to focus on something behind Cal's shoulder and she rose. "I'll be right back..." and she walked behind him straight over to James incoming figure and tucked her arm through his to guide him away from the crowd.

"Stop," she admonished.
"Oh, sorry did I interrupt your date?" was his snarky reply. "Every single time I look over you're talking to him or he's looking at you. He needs to keep his bloody eyes to himself."
"James," Fi hissed. "What are you doing? I told you we're just friends," only to be interrupted by his laugh. She threw up her hands and began to walk away when his hand shot out and clamped down on her wrist and tugged her back. He didn't hurt her, but it surprised her a little and she stepped in and said quietly, "Stop, okay? Just please, not tonight." His eyes softened and he nodded reluctantly then muttered something about getting the cake, kissed her on the cheek and stalked off. Fi rubbed at her forehead, chugged half her champagne and went back to sit by Cal. "Anyway, how are you? I'm really glad you're here." Even if it's with another woman.

Between stealing glances at Fi and avoiding the glaring from James, Cal had spent most of the night talking with Eve and a few stray colleagues. He felt much more uncomfortable about being there than he expected. Though, truthfully, he shouldn't have been surprised. Cal had been playing a very risky game lately. It almost felt like he'd been dating two women at the same time except, truthfully, he'd spent more time with Fi than Eve lately. The guilt was hitting him hard tonight, even without James' jeering in his direction anytime they made eye contact. When Fi finally came back over and chatted politely with Eve, though, Cal almost felt relieved. He was just oblivious enough to fall for Fi's act. Maybe she was accepting Eve after all. Maybe they really could be friends who dated other people. When Eve excused herself to go to the loo, he smiled back at Fi, glad to finally have her alone for a moment. He'd opened his mouth to speak at the exact same time, but never got a word in before Fi jumped up yet again and walked off. Cal didn't bother looking after her at this point. It was clear things would be more than a little off, at least in a public setting like this. It was so much easier to be friends when they were alone. No prying eyes judging them for touching too much or for too long. Cal was about to walk off and wait for Eve outside the bathroom, maybe suggest they call it an early night. But then Fi was back. "Er...yeah, wouldn't miss it for the world. Thanks for inviting us." He cringed a little as he said it, knowing she definitely didn't invite Eve. "Uh, anyway. I almost forgot to give you your gift," he said suddenly, reaching over and handing her the small wrapped box. Inside was an antique bracelet, one he'd found on a job that reminded him of her for whatever reason. He'd found it over a month ago, long before they'd reconciled. Cal really had no reason to keep it, but he did and now seemed like the perfect moment to give it to her. "It's an 18th century bracelet, made in France. Used to give the wearer boils from head to toe. Don't ask me how I know," he chuckled. "Curse is broke now though, so you've got nothing to worry about."

Tonight was far from how Fi expected her birthday to go. She knew Cal was going to be there, he’d promised weeks ago. Of course, this was before he had his own someone, not that it mattered. Fi knew she was being irrational with all of her negative feelings. She needed to get over it and accept it, because if she didn’t it could threaten whatever friendship she and Cal convinced themselves they had. It wasn’t worth losing him, not again. Throughout the evening if their gazes collided she gave him a little grin or a wink, knowing it probably wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, being here. She knew in general he wasn’t a fan of bigger social settings and it meant a lot he went willingly into a setting littered with invisible landmines. She was enjoying herself, but there was a tightness in her chest as she saw the glares James cut to Cal, the way his jaw clenched every now and then. But what could she do? Call the party off? Seeing James leave to get her cake felt like watching a ticking time bomb walk away. Didn’t help he was already three scotches in. At the table, she ignored the wince in Cal’s words and her gaze focused on the small wrapped box. She didn’t need a gift from him, and she gave him a surprised, but happy look. Fi popped open the box and immediately gasped. “Oh wow,” she lifted the bracelet out of the box and admired it, then chuckled at the mention of boils. “Callum Sinclair if this turns me into a boil covered witch on my birthday..” she slid it on her wrist and held her arm out, admiring it. “It’s beautiful,” Fi grinned, kissed him on the cheek and enveloped him in a hug, “Thank you love, I love it,” whispered against his ear. At that moment, Eve returned and she abruptly pulled away from him. “Eve, hi! Sorry, I was just thanking Cal for my birthday gift.” Something passed in Eve’s eyes quickly when she saw it but faded away and she smiled, “Wow, it’s beautiful! Putting my flowers to shame” she teased. Then James' voice echoed behind them and he came out carrying the birthday cake made of…cupcakes. Fi stood and blew out the candles and immediately began divvying up the cupcakes. Someone asked if she made the cake and she nodded with a “You bet your ass I did, you think my ego would let someone else make it?” The party continued and she and James were affectionate, but there was a stiffness to his body language and dread began to fill her as the night began to wind down and people left. Eve said goodbye and Fi assumed Cal was going home with her so they could - whatever. She and James were in the midst of cleaning up cupcake wrappers when he gently took her wrist and tilted it towards him. “This is pretty darling, who gave you this?” When Fi didn’t answer at first, a knowing look appeared on his face and shook his head in disgust, dropping her arm. “Course he did, why not give another bloke’s girlfriend jewelry?” Before he could start Fi ushered him towards the outside of the pub and from there they picked their fight right back up. There were raised voices, cussing, pleading. He was tired of playing second fiddle to Cal, tired of being disrespected. And then in a shout which made her ears ring, “Fioretta, I am DONE, I AM FUCKING DONE. I should’ve done this a long time ago, it’s fucking over.” And then he left her sitting there on a chair outside, shocked Inside, he caught sight of Cal and somehow resist the urge to punch him. But he brushed past him roughly and said on his way out the pub, “She’s allll yours Sinclair! Finally got what you bloody wanted all along!”

Cal, being Cal, hadn't really thought about the connotations of giving another bloke's girlfriend jewelry for her birthday. To be fair, he'd never given anyone jewelry before, not even his own mum before she died. When he'd found the bracelet, he'd somehow thought of Fi and her love for sparkly things so he pocketed it. He had a growing stash of various, interesting things he'd found over the years and this was just one of those. So, now that their friendship was rekindled, it made perfect sense to give the bracelet to her in person. And it seemed to go over well. With Fi, that is. "You're welcome, love. I'm glad you like it," he'd said with a grin as she hugged him. When she pulled away again there was Eve. He also saw the flicker of something in her eyes, but all three of them quickly shrugged it off. After the cupcakes were served, Cal was ready to grab more drinks, but Eve stopped him. "I think I'll just head home. Got a busy day tomorrow and I'll regret staying out any later," she'd explained before finding Fi to say her good byes. Cal offered to walk her home, but she insisted he stay. So after kissing her good bye, he'd made his way back to the bar and ordered one more drink. Maybe he could get one more moment alone with Fi before he went home himself. He was far enough away from the other couple as they cleaned that he never noticed James inquiring about the bracelet and the hushed arguing that followed as Fi led him outside. Cal didn't hear the yelling and pleading happening after the fact either. So, when James came pushing past him, Cal stood there in shock, completely unaware of what had just transpired. Frowning, he finished paying at the bar and headed out in the direction James had come from, hoping to find Fi. He didn't have to look long as he sat down in the chair next to her, recognizing right away that she was upset. "Are you alright? What was all that about, love?" he asked, gesturing back inside the pub. "James said...well, I'm not sure really. What the hell happened?"

And Fi being Fi, didn’t see the gift as inappropriate, though her opinion was biased. The shine and glitz of the bracelet certainly appealed to the hybrid niffler/magpie who lived inside of her. It was a beautiful gift, made all the more special because of who it was from. She should’ve known it would upset James but she was selfish and stubborn when it came to Cal and that likely was never going to change. Still, Fi was blindsided at James’ anger, the force behind it. They had reconciled almost immediately after their fight two nights ago, but it still lingered. James would never be happy about her relationship with Cal and he’d expressed his discomfort over it several times. Her response was always a gentle, yet firm, “He’s a non negotiable, darling.” Looking back on this night, she would shake her in wonderment, amazed the man managed to last this long. Her patience would've worn out long ago. James was a level-headed affable man, two reasons why Fi was so drawn to him in the beginning. But everyone had their limits and he’d hit his tonight. As she sat outside a couple patrons who were forced to witness it, stopped by to check on her. A young woman in her mid-twenties leaned down with an “Alright then?” All Fi could do was nod, face red with humiliation. Nothing like a public dumping to top off a birthday, eh? “I’m alright, thanks,” she lied. She decided to stay out there until she could get her bearings and then exit through the patio entrance in case some of her party guests were still hanging about. It was quiet out here and save for the fairy lights strewn everywhere, she could hide from everyone in the dim night. Fi sipped at her champagne and fought back tears, feeling hurt and angry and stupid. When Cal came out on the patio she cussed softly beneath her breath and was about to tell him she was fine but then he was there, sitting beside her and he knew her far too well. She cleared her throat, wiped at her eyes and looked at him. “What did he say?” Fi took another drink and shrugged. “Oh, he dumped me. So that’s over now. It’s fine. Did you have fun tonight?”

If Cal had been thinking clearly, he could have easily understood James' reaction to him being a part of Fi's life now. Of course he'd had to have pieced together that what Cal and Fi had before wasn't just a fling. They were far too close, too friendly, too flirty for that to have been true. It was probably similar to how Cal felt watching Fi and James together, the only glaring difference being that James was actually dating her now. Cal really had no right to feel the way he did about it. But, as with so many things when it came to Fi, he was not thinking clearly. The two seemed to have tunnel vision when it came to each other, unable to see just how much it hurt the actual people they were dating. So the news that James had dumped her was shocking to him now. All he knew were the glazed over details of their relationship as of late. As much as Cal didn't like to admit it, they'd made a good pair. And he thought both he and Fi had done a fairly good job of being friends throughout everything. If they didn't count the major slip up of sleeping together that one time, of course. All of these thoughts were ridiculous, Cal would realize at a later time. If the roles were reversed, he would have been just as upset as, if not more than, James was now. Cal's very clouded judgment when it came to all things Fi, though, would end up effecting every one of their relationships with other people for years. All under the guise that they were just doing what friends did together. As he sat down next to her tonight, he tried to figure out how Fi was actually feeling. She wasn't full out crying but looked like it could happen at any time and he certainly couldn't blame her. "Huh? Uh, he said you were all mine now and that I got what I wanted..." Cal trailed off, reaching out to gently touch her shoulder. "I'm so sorry. Are you alright, love? I don't understand. I thought--wait, did he break up with you because of me?" The light bulbs were finally going off, obviously weeks too late. James had every right to hate him at this rate. He'd been selfish and completely disregarded the other man's feelings and, worst of all, he hadn't even realized he'd been doing it. "Fuck, I'm sorry, love. Do you want me to talk to him? I can explain...tell him it's him you want. Not me." Cal hated saying those words, but given the current circumstances, he was willing to do what needed to be done.

No longer were they treading water. They’d sunk beneath and were in too deep but also unwilling to find a way back to dry land. Fi knew she was being unreasonable and unfair to James just as Cal was to Eve and yet she refused to give. She had zero interest in a life without Cal, despite who it may damage along the way, the selfish creature she was. Little did she know this relationship with James would set a precedent for how she handled all her future ones. James wasn't her endgame. Fi knew it and she suspected on some level, he did too. But she’d settled into the relationship, found happiness in it, and continued to even after Cal’s reappearance in her life. James was the right guy, but for another woman. Preferably one who wasn’t pining for one her friend. She wanted to hide from Cal, mumble some excuse and then leave. But she was done avoiding him and the recent mental gymnastics left her suddenly tired. The break-up was a (well deserved) slap in the face. And though deep down, she’d seen it on the horizon, Fi was still reeling from it. Their fight from the other night was apparently a prelude to it all. All it did was expose an ever growing fissure in their foundation. She shook her head and like Cal, was waiting for it to hit her full on. Instead she didn’t know what to feel and she turned her head and swiped at the tears now running down her face feeling embarrassed again. She was stubborn and free spirited. Feisty and quick to overreact, but she had a soft heart. Fi yanked off the birthday sash Callie got her; a swatch of purple satin charmed to change colors around the rhinestone studded Birthday Girl and set it aside. “It doesn't matter why we broke up, love,” her voice cracked and she shook her head and laughed softly at his response and finally looked at him. I can explain...tell him it's him you want. Not me. “Is that what you want, Cal, to talk him out of it? Do you really think I want him over you?”

Cal wasn't usually this dense. He was a smart man who, in spite of not being the best with social situations, could generally read a room at least. But he'd been so wrapped up in the façade the two of them had been building that he never stopped to consider its effect on James. Or Eve for that matter. Eve was new to the situation, though, and hadn't yet pieced together the extent of what Cal had with Fi. He'd sold it to her as a friendship now. Yes, they'd dated for a few months, but eventually decided to just be friends. Eve had no reason to believe otherwise until she began noticing just how friendly they were. How Fi always seemed to find a way to touch him when they were together or how Cal's gazed fell on Fi more often than anyone else, let alone Eve. It would be another month before the cracks really started to show and then Cal would find himself in the exact same spot that Fi was in now. A vicious cycle that could have easily been broken if the two of them weren't so stubborn when it came to one another. Watching as she removed her birthday sash, Cal frowned and leaned forward to try and catch Fi's eye. She always seemed so strong to him, which was maybe ironic seeing as she was definitely the one more in touch with her emotions. But, to Cal, that wasn't a weakness. If anything he admired her feisty, free spirited ways. He found it brave that she was able to share her feelings so easily sometimes...though that hadn't been the case lately. Sighing, he reached out and wiped another tear from her cheek with his thumb, hand moving to cup her face for a moment. "Of course it's not what I want. You know what I wanted, but it's too late now. If you were happy with James, I'd talk to him for you. Whatever it takes because I hate seeing you upset."

Fast forward a couple weeks later and Fi would come to the bank, not to see Cal but in a twist, James. She’d apologize for everything and because he was a good man, he would tentatively accept it. But that’s where it would end. They were far from star crossed lovers and though the attraction was there, it paled in comparison to the one she and Cal had. The (ex) couple didn’t need to pretend they were something they weren’t unlike.. And over the years she and James would run into each other. At a couple Gringott’s events, when she came to the bank specifically to see Cal. They would acknowledge each other out of pure politeness, but their story ended on her birthday. The poor man was the first casualty of her relationship with Cal, but not the last. Fi was a pillar of strength until suddenly she wasn’t and when it happened, as loud as she lived, she didn’t like anyone seeing when she crumbled. When she finally looked at him, the expression on her face was unreadable, but the look in her eyes was a combination of hurt and sad. As he thumbed away a tear and cupped her face, she leaned into his touch and rested her forehead against his as she fell quiet and let the night's events wash over her as well as the ones leading up to it. “I don’t want to be with James and he sure as fuck doesn’t want to be with me anymore. I never should’ve tried to,” she didn’t know how to even finish the sentence so she didn’t. He was so here, so warm, so comforting, so Cal. And she was hurting and he was who she’d wanted all along. It’d be so easy to lean further in, brush her mouth against his and prove James 100% right. And for the span of two seconds she began to, her lips parted and she was so close but then stopped herself and instead rested her head against his chest and tried to ignore her heart suddenly hammering away in her chest. “How did we get here,” said mostly to herself. “I’ll be fine, it’ll pass. What are you? I mean, were you leaving?” Because if he was, she didn't want him to.

While Fi and James' story ended there, Cal would have to face the other man quite often at work. At first it was even more awkward than it had been when he dated Fi. Luckily, though, James never confronted Cal about Fi or about anything that might have transpired between them. Cal was relieved by this of course, but still found being in the office with him stressful. He was never sure if James requested it or not, but the two never worked another job together unless it was on a team with plenty of other people to be their buffer. As much as Cal hated the underlying tension in the office, he preferred it over seeing Fi and James together. A selfish thought, but the truth regardless. It was far easier to ignore James on his own than to constantly see him with Fi. Of course Cal was more than happy to know they'd broken up now, but there was no joy to be found in this moment. In the future there would be plenty of blokes she would date and break up with that he would unabashedly celebrate, but not this one. In spite of his frustrations with him, James was still the good man Cal had always known. Fi was rightfully upset about their relationship ending. Unfortunately it didn't magically fix everything else in the process. Cal was still with Eve thought now the seed of doubt had been more than planted. As Fi leaned her forehead against his, he too fought the internal struggle to just kiss her. What he wouldn't give to be able to touch her again without the guilt and shame. It would be so easy right now, but Cal had no intention of taking advantage of her or the situation. Still, he held his breath as they remained mere inches from their lips touching. Closing his eyes, he let out a sigh as she finally pulled away and buried her face in his chest. "I don't know," was all Cal could mutter. He didn't know much of anything right now except that things were still just as messy as they were an hour ago. Would there ever be a clear cut answer or decision to be made when it came to the two of them? It seemed impossible. "Hmm? Oh Eve had to go home. How about we go get a drink, love. It's still your birthday and you should end it on a high note. Or black out drunk. Same thing," he joked, leaning back and taking her hands in his. "Let's go forget all this rubbish, yeah?"