Recent content by Vivian Brackenstall

As soon as Kauri spoke, the part of Vivian that was still fourteen and guilty and terrified desperately wanted to turn and run, to escape this hole he had dug for himself and never look back. This was a mistake. But the adult in him knew this conversation would have to happen one day, no...

Warm summer family barbecues filled with chatter and laughter were not something Vivian had ever expected to become part of his normal life, but here he was. While it had been a little overwhelming at first, he had come to cherish the times he got to spend with his "new” extended family, though...

Vivian took Tristan's hand almost automatically, meeting his eyes as he spoke. He nodded slowly, fighting against the hurt part of himself that didn't want to believe anything Tristan said. This was different, had been from the moment they ran into each other on the street. He was surprised...

Seeing the relief in Tristan's shoulders relaxed Vivian as well - hurting Tristan was still one of his bigger regrets despite everything, and he didn't want to repeat the experience. The next reaction sent a thrill of fear through him but he pushed ahead, knowing he needed to protect himself...

Vivian's heart sank at the change in Tristan's demeanour. He knew addressing it would bring back that old pain, but seeing it stung in a different way. "I would." He said quickly and reached to take Tristan's hand, not wanting to leave him uncertain for a moment. "I'm... I'm so sorry for...

Vivian was shocked by the thrumming of his heart at the offer, so casual. Of course there was going to be more. Of course he'd meet Tristan's baby, properly. Mentioning Mason somehow made it so much more real - Tristan didn't just want a date. This was deeper. "I'd like that." He said...

Vivian laughed at Tristan's sudden distress, heart fluttering slightly. "You're doomed, sorry. He'll demolish everything you love." He grinned, taking a sip of his wine. This was easy, it was so easy to talk to Tristan, to laugh with him. Despite their shared history, or perhaps because of...

Vivian chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. "Happy to help." He said, still adjusting to the small unfamiliar thrill he got at seeing Tristan so domestic, so caring. It was leagues away from the boy he had dated so long ago, and the thought of getting to be with this man... "Oh yeah...

Vivian smiled fondly, nodding. "I do. It's weird having sisters so much younger, but they're great." The changes to his family had been a lot to adjust to, after 20 years of just him, his mum, and his nan, but in the end it had all been for the better. He laughed softly at the compliment...

Vivian laughed at the conspiriatorial tone, wiggling his eyebrows. "Your secrets are safe with me." He smiled, taking a sip of his wine. He snorted at the comment about vegetables. "Like I said, too much time with my sisters." He smiled sheepishly. "Having a mum who used to own a sweetshop...

Vivian gave a small snort of laughter, taking another bite of pasta. "Makes sense." He said comfortably once he had swallowed. "When we were leading up to OWLs I swear you would have eaten in the library if Archer wouldn't have throttled you with his bare hands." He said with a small chuckle...

Vivian couldn't help a small laugh, taking another sip of his wine. This was all so easy - as if they had been together all along, and the exciting start of something new all at once. "The great Tristan Collins, living on takeaway?" He teased. "Scandalous." There was something nice about...

Vivian laughed fondly, taking a sip of his wine. "I don't wanna set the expectations too high." He teased. "What happens if I pretend I did this all by myself and one day we're cooking together? I don't want you to expect me to just be able to do this." He teased lightly, though a slight...

Vivian relaxed a little when the conversation steered away from the serious things he knew they needed to talk about eventually. He started eating too, smiling when Tristan complimented the food. "Thanks." He laughed, nodding in agreement. "I should have said a restaurant. I had to floo my...

Vivian smiled fondly, though his heart leaped into his throat as Tristan brought attention to what this date meant. "I suppose that's true." He said, managing to keep the shake out of his voice. "I'm... glad you figured it out."