The Quiet That Lives Between Us
Your Stiff Upper Lip Is Still Kissable, @Simon Kincaid, wot, wot!
26 December 2025
Boxing Day dawned with a cold that shimmered rather than bit, a quiet, silvered chill that settled over the estate like a blessing. As the day progressed, too slowly for AngelFyre’s liking, the chill softened even further when the real blessing was realized with Simon’s mid-morning arrival. He had been warmly greeted by everyone, shown to his guest room, offered help with his unpacking, kissed no less than 37 times by his lovesick girlfriend, and hugged so tightly that had he been a rag doll, he would have lost his stuffing. He was also hurried out the front door as soon as humanly possible because they were set to meet Ainsley and Kendric at the town square.
As they stepped out the double front doors, Hillary moved beside her in long, graceful strides, the wolfhound’s breath huffing into soft white clouds that drifted upward and vanished in the hazy afternoon light. AngelFyre paused on the front path, letting the air fill her lungs. Frost still glazed the fields in a pale sheen, turning the familiar landscape into something delicate and dreamlike.
Simon stood close enough that she could feel his warmth even through their coats. His presence always steadied her in a way she had never been able to explain and had long ago given up trying. When she glanced up, he offered her his wide, glorious smile, the kind that brightened the world around her.
“I believe the market will be very lively today. It always is on Boxing Day,” she said, adjusting the basket in her hands. Her mother had insisted she bring a few leftover treats for Mrs. Kerr, Mr. Simpson, Reverend Gilbraith, and Ainsley and Kendric, though AngelFyre suspected it was simply her mother’s way of ensuring she did not arrive empty-handed. They both waved their goodbyes to her parents who planned to show up later for the bonfire.
AngelFyre turned back, adjusting the treats so the basket balanced on her arm more evenly, and informed Simon, “Ainsley told me she and Kendric would meet us near the first row of stalls. She said the indoor booths are already open.”
Simon reached out and brushed a stray, wavy lock from her cheek, his touch light, almost reverent. “I’m looking forward to seeing all of it,” he said, reaching for, and taking, the basket she had been carrying without her even having asked him to carry it. His voice was calm and she felt the sincerity beneath it, but she knew he was not actually looking forward to meeting up with Kendric, under any circumstances.
She slipped her gloved hand into his free hand. For the briefest moment, a memory flickered… of another walk that had begun in safety and ended in terror… of leaving Ainsley’s home last summer and never reaching her own. The shadow of that night brushed against her, cold and unwelcome, but she pushed it aside with quiet determination, which was more easily done knowing Simon was at her side.
She had been trying very hard not to think about the summer, about Samael’s hands on her, about the darkness that had nearly swallowed her whole. She had survived… they both had survived… but survival was not the same as healing. Some nights she still woke with her heart racing, convinced she could feel the echo of Samael’s presence.
But today felt different. Brighter. Safer. Simon was here, and that alone eased something tight inside her. Hillary nudged her leg gently, as though sensing the shift in her breathing, and AngelFyre let her free hand rest briefly on her gentle giant’s head. The simple contact grounded her.
Together, all three began the walk down the long path toward Stenton Village. Hillary trotted ahead for a few steps, nose to the ground, before circling back to brush against AngelFyre’s side. The frost crunched beneath their boots, each step releasing a soft, crystalline sound that echoed faintly in the stillness. The sanctuary animals stirred in their enclosures as they passed… soft snorts from the horses, the rustle of feathers from the hens, and the distant, yet incessant bleating from Gandhi, a goat who always seemed to believe he was starving.
Hillary paused to sniff at the fence, tail wagging in slow, sweeping arcs. The horses leaned their heads over the rails to greet her, and she responded with a gentle nudge of her nose before bounding back to run circles around Simon and AngelFyre’s sides.
“They are restless today,” AngelFyre said with a small smile. “I think they can sense the excitement.”
“Or they simply want your attention,” Simon replied, his thumb brushing the back of her gloved hand. “I can’t blame them.” Her cheeks warmed at his comment, though the air was still cold enough to turn her breath to mist.
As they neared the village, the sounds of the market grew clearer… laughter rang out amidst the backdrop of barking dogs, the clatter of wooden stalls being adjusted, and the distant notes of a fiddle warming up. The scent of wood smoke drifted on the wind, mingling with the sweetness of baked goods and the sharp, comforting aroma of mulled cider.
Stenton Village looked like something out of a storybook. The medieval stone buildings were strung with garlands of winter greenery, and lanterns hung from iron hooks, their glass panes catching the pale afternoon light. Children darted between the stalls, scarves trailing behind them like banners. Dogs trotted at their owners’ heels, tails wagging furiously at every new scent.
Hillary’s arrival did not go unnoticed. A pair of children squealed her name and rushed forward, burying their hands in her thick, wiry fur. An elderly man bent to scratch behind her ears, murmuring something about her being “the pride of the village.” A vendor laughed and offered her a small, dog-safe biscuit, which she accepted with regal dignity before trotting back to AngelFyre’s side.
“She has missed this,” AngelFyre said softly. “Ainsley and Kendric have taken her on many adventures while I have been away, but she always seems more her full self when I am home. At least that is what everyone tells me,” she said feeling more than a fair share of guilt as she rubbed her girl’s ear between her index finger and thumb, garnering a few quick tail flicks that slapped AngelFyre’s hip with a series of rapid-fire and loud THWACKS.
Simon smiled. “It’s clear she adores you.” AngelFyre nodded her head and tilted it a little, looking at her fellow askance.
“And what could I do to make it clear to you that I adore you?” and she grinned impishly as she put her hands up to look like puppy paws as her tongue lolled out of the side her mouth while she bounced all around him, hip-checking him 3-4 times. Simon just stood still and rolled his eyes, but she could see the twitch at the corners of his mouth as he worked to suppress his laughter.
“Oh, trust me, love. I’m well aware of how adored I am. Anyone who knows us or sees us together is well aware of that fact.” She stopped her silly 'puppy love' antics and genteelly wiped the side of her mouth, lifting her chin in an exaggerated show of ladylike composure before nodding and adding, “Just as I am sure they can see I am equally adored,” and she leaned over to kiss him softly for a countless number of Mississippis before they entered the market square proper.
AngelFyre felt her heart lift.“It is beautiful,” she murmured as they stepped fully into the square. “I have always loved Boxing Day here. It feels as though the entire village breathes together.”
Simon squeezed her hand gently. “I’m glad I’m seeing it with you, love.”
Warmth enveloped them… not from the air, but from the people. Villagers greeted AngelFyre with smiles and nods, some calling her name, others simply offering a friendly wave. She returned each gesture with quiet sincerity. Stenton Village had not always been her home, as she was born and reared in Edinburgh the first five years of her life, but it had been the happiest of places she had called home… until meeting Simon. She knew he could never love it like he loved London, but she hoped that tonight he would see it through her eyes, and begin to understand the magic it held for her.
She turned to him, her expression softening. “I am very glad you are here, love” she said, the words simple but true. “This year feels… different. In a good way,” and she smiled a little shyly. “I know you have been here before, but you only saw it then. This time I hope you get to experience it, and maybe learn to love it… even just a little… because this place is so much a part of me, and always will be.”
Simon leaned down a little and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. Her breath caught, just for a moment, and she let herself lean into him, just enough to feel the steady rhythm of his breathing.
Just ahead, near the first row of stalls, she spotted Ainsley’s bright pink scarf and Kendric’s familiar silhouette. Neither had yet spotted Simon or AngelFyre. Hillary’s tail began to wag the moment she saw them, and she bounded forward with joyful enthusiasm.
AngelFyre drew in a quiet breath, steadying herself. “There they are,” she said softly, after having grabbed too late for Hillary’s collar. “I was going to ask if you were ready to go greet them, but Miss Hillary has rather given us away, leaving us no choice but to go and greet them now," and she chuckled.
Turning to her favorite person in the whole universe, she reached up and brushed her hand through Simon's gorgeous hair, mainly because he always let her, but also because she knew it would fall back into place perfectly. “Stiff upper lip and all that, wot, wot” she snorted in a clipped, proper British accent, hoping to make him laugh a little before having to face Kendric.
Simon chuckled and nodded, his hand still in hers, but he squeezed it three times… their physical gesture for a silent 'I love you.'
Together, with Hillary already greeting two of her favorite humans, Simon and AngelFyre stepped forward into the heart of the Stenton Village Boxing Day market… unaware of the subtle currents already beginning to shift beneath the surface of the day.
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ReducioSimon and AngelFyre have longstanding permission to godmod one another's characters.
The magic is real.
The Quiet That Lives Between Us
Sweet temptations with @AngelFyre McCubbin
Christmas time in Stenton Village felt smaller than London but just as full, with spirit and liveliness. The old, but well tended over the years, cobblestone steps and historic buildings beckoned everyone there to pause in the busyness of life and focus on the now - to cherish the life you had and those you had by your side and as Hillary bounded ahead of them and AngelFyre walked at his side greeting her neighbors, Simon felt just that. Magic, even if not their kind, lingered all around.
The two follow the large dog who seemed to know exactly where to go but that didn’t surprise Simon, knowing the breed had been great hunting dogs, tracking large game like wolves and elk - it was no surprise that she could scout out some of her favorites amongst the crowd. Before long, Simon saw the familiar faces of Ainsley and Kendric, matured since the last time he saw them.
Both seemed happy to greet Hillary and then turned their attention to AngelFyre, greeting her before Ainsley kindly greeted Simon. "Nice to see you again, Ains," Simon smiled to her warmly. He then turned his attention to greet Kendric but Kendric's gaze and attention still lingered on AngelFyre. There it was. He couldn't precisely call it out without sounding possibly ridiculous so it sat there but Kendric always lingered his gaze on AngelFyre a little too long, laughed a little too loud at her jokes, and seemed so attentive to her - even when his girlfriend Ainsley was right by his side.
AngelFyre was telling Kendric about a certain booth that she hoped would be there again this year as she slipped her arm through Simon's and squeezed affectionately as she talked, pulling him in closer to him. It wasn't done on purpose, but almost instinctively as the two always seemed to magnatize toward one another and close was never close enough. Kendric seemed to notice that too and flashed a look over to Simon. "Good to see you, mate. Thanks for coming out - AngelFyre's been looking forward to catching up," Simon said, remaining courteous but also subtly trying to state that he sees Kendric and isn't threatened by him, but he wasn't sure Kendric would pick up on that.
Apparently he did because Kendric responded, "Yeah, of course. Wouldn't miss it. It's always good seeing her when she's back home," and Kendric looked to AngelFyre who was eyeing a booth selling chocolates.
Simon could tell her eyes were lighting up at the sight and smiled widely knowing that she couldn't resist the handmade chocolates. "Stop number one," Simon said, looking as Hillary herself planted herself directly in front of the vendor and sat very straight to demonstrate her good manners as if it might earn her a chocolate treat. "A', no chocolate for ye, lass, but how 'bout a wee treat o' yer own?" the man said as he reached behind the counter and pulled out a small piece of homemade dog friendly shortbread, crafted into a bone shape.
Simon and AngelFyre both laughed as Hillary's tail begins to thwack happily upon the floor as she lays down to enjoy her treat and then AngelFyre's attention went back to scanning the trays of delicious treats. "I forgot about these ones! We should get some!" AngelFyre said as she once again looped her arm through Simon's and pulled him closer. "Oh, and they have ones with lemon filling!"
"We should get lots," Simon said as she broke the embrace to step in front of him to look at more and his arm moved to the small of her back instinctively. Their togetherness was unconcious, familiar, and happened often without thinking. "I might not be the most fond of chocolate itself but I do appreciate the subtle lingering it can leave upon your lips during a kiss after you've had one. I insist you get as many as your heart desires, love. And I'll try the lemon ones so you can have the experience."
Simon pulled her closer to him and stepped closer, closing the small gap between them and nuzzled his face close - an intimacy between the two but nothing inappropriate: just two people completely in love. Simon and AngelFyre began to pick out which ones they'd like and beside them, Ainsley turned to say something to Kendric but his attention has already wandered away from them and away from the chocolate booth.
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
The Quiet That Lives Between Us
Udderly Charming @Simon Kincaid
26 December 2025
AngelFyre was still warm from the greetings they had exchanged only minutes earlier... the hugs, the laughter, the quick handing off of the small Boxing Day gifts she had brought for Ainsley and Kendric. Nothing elaborate, just thoughtful little tokens her mother had insisted she bring: a leather-tooled bookmark her father had crafted for Kendric, and a delicate pressed flower pendant for Ainsley, the tiny snowdrop suspended in clear resin like a captured breath of winter. Ainsley had hugged her tightly in thanks; Kendric had smiled in that quiet, appreciative way he always had. It had all felt easy and familiar, exactly as she had hoped.
Well, almost.
Something in the air felt different. Not wrong, simply different. Ainsley’s smile had been warm and enthusiastic as always, but Kendric’s attention had felt very directed in those first few moments, as though he were trying to adjust himself on how to be around her after half a year of separation. AngelFyre noticed… she always noticed such things about the people she cared about… but she attributed it to the simple awkwardness of a reunion. For years prior to her leaving for Hogwarts, it had always been just the three of them, a triangle of easy familiarity, but now three had become four. Of course the dynamic would feel different. Of course there would be a little adjusting. She did not want to think it anything more than that. But….
But it had been almost 4 years now that she had been Simon's.
Of course a stolen kiss and declarations of love from Kendric over three years earlier could reasonably put a bit of a pall on their time now, but surely Kendric had outgrown all of that after asking Ainz to be his girl. AngelFyre was not blind to the fact neither boy liked the other, and it would be unfair to Simon… and to Ainsley… to pretend otherwise, but she selfishly wanted to ease the triangular peg of their old closeness into the round hole of the present, coaxing the edges into harmony if possible.
Both fellows were trying. She could not ask for more than that, but should she even be asking this much of either of them? That was yet to be determined. That was part of why today was so important to her.
Now, standing at the chocolate booth with Simon’s arm warm around her waist, she felt that earlier warmth settle into something softer… the contentment of having some of her favorite people gathered in one place. Hillary thumped her tail against the cobblestones as she finished her shortbread, crumbs dusting her whiskers like snow.
AngelFyre stepped in front of Simon as she studied the trays of chocolates, loving his hand placed at the small of her back, her breath fogging faintly in the cold air. “Right you are, handsome. We absolutely do need the lemon ones,” she declared, reaching for a small paper box and quickly trading it out for a medium-sized one, beginning to fill it. “We need them if for no other reason than to verify the quality assurance standards of your proposed delivery method are up to snuff. I suspect the melting point could be the critical factor in achieving satisfactory results,” and she smirked, never halting in her filling of the box.
“Oh! I must also get some dark chocolate covered cherries for Daddy. And the hazelnut clusters for Mom. And…”
“And the entire stall, apparently,” Simon teased, his voice low and warm against her ear.
She nudged him with her shoulder, grinning but unfazed. “May I remind you, good Sir, you just 30 seconds ago insisted I get as many as my heart desires?” and she huffed playfully before turning her head to the side to kiss his lips softly for only a second or two. “Besides, we both know there is not enough money in the world, nor cacao beans, to meet the 'as many as my heart desires' aspect of your offer, which is a good thing, otherwise I would blow up like a Macy’s Day parade balloon and you would leave me for the priesthood.”
Ainsley laughed softly beside AngelFyre, listening to her and Simon as she unwrapped her little box. “Is this how you two always talk to one another? It’s hilarious,” she said light-heartedly. AngelFyre nodded in reply and turned just in time to see her friend lift the pendant out by its chain. The tiny snowdrop, pale and perfect, glowed softly within the resin… a fragile promise of hope blooming in winter.
“AF, it’s so pretty,” Ainsley murmured, then turned instinctively toward Kendric with a hopeful smile. “Kendric, would you mind fasten—?” She did not finish her sentence.
And Kendric did not respond.
He was standing right beside her, trying to blot from memory the things he was hearing and seeing from AF and her precious Simon. His gaze had drifted somewhere past the crowd, unfocused and far away. Ainsley’s smile faltered, the pendant swaying gently from her fingers. AngelFyre noticed immediately the stillness in Ainsley’s posture and the quiet hurt that flickered across her face before she smoothed it away.
“Here, Ainz,” AngelFyre said softly, stepping behind her friend. “Let me do the honors.” But before she could touch the clasp, Kendric blinked, snapped back to the moment, and stepped in quickly.
“No. I’ve got it, AF. Thanks,” he said, his voice gentle but hurried, as though embarrassed to have missed his cue. He took the chain from Ainsley’s fingers and fastened it carefully at the back of her neck.
He stood awkwardly behind her, as if trying to decide what to do next. Then he leaned over as if about to kiss her neck, but instead patted her right shoulder three times at the last second.
Ainsley smiled again, but it did not quite reach her eyes.
Simon saw it. AngelFyre saw it and felt it. Kendric did not notice at all.
“It looks beautiful on you, Ainz. It is almost as if it were made for you. Oh, wait. It was.” Desperately trying to think of what to do, AngelFyre moved back toward Simon, but kicked Kendric’s ankle along the way and then furrowed her brows at him while tilting her head in Ainz’s direction when he looked her way.
He blinked stupidly at her at first and then it apparently dawned on him what she was hinting at. Moving in front of Ainsley, he put both hands on her shoulders and held her at a distance so he could appreciate the pendant on her neck. He smiled warmly at her and nodded approvingly.
“It really does look great on you. I’m sorry I’m distracted, Ainz. I want some mutton stew,” he lied, "and the booth isn’t open yet.”
This time Ainsley’s smile relaxed and did reach her sparkling eyes. “Just like you to be thinking of food. I should’ve known.”
AngelFyre handed Simon the box of chocolates, and after he had paid for it, he tucked it neatly into the basket he had insisted on carrying. Her arm looped through his, and she caught sight of Kendric mouthing ‘Thank you’ to her. She smiled and nodded and then rested her head on Simon’s shoulder for a moment, silently reaching out to him through their binding mark. “I hope you know I know how blessed I am to have your attentive self as my boyfriend."
They all began to walk in silence toward the butter sculpture row of booths, watching Hillary trotting ahead with cheerful purpose, nose sniffing the air, no doubt, catching a whiff of the mutton stew Kendric was looking forward to.
To lighten the mood… and because the sculptures reminded her of it… AngelFyre said, “Our butter sculpture competition was the inspiration for a short story I wrote three years ago. It was about a girl named Selma who lived in a magical boarding school most of the year. She returned home for the holidays to her very small, agrarian village by the name of Snickerdoodledallywag.
Ainsley burst into a fit of giggles. “Snick-… snickerdoo -…doodledally- … what? Where do you come up with these things?” she asked gasping for breath.
AngelFyre had always found Ainz’s giggles to be infectious, and this time was no exception. She beamed a smile and her face flushed as she giggle-snorted her reply to her friend, “...dally-… dallywag.”
The whole group momentarily stopped as the two girls got the rest of their giggles out, staggering in the snow while holding onto one another as if they had been drinking Butterbeers, straight up. Finally they managed to compose themselves, and both reached out for their boyfriends once again.
AngelFyre cleared her throat twice, in quick succession. “Annnnnnnyway, as I was saying. Selma’s father entered the butter sculpture competition every year, always coming close to winning but never quite managing it. This particular year he created a life-sized cow made entirely of butter, and he was certain it would finally earn him the top ribbon.”
“Everything was going perfectly until Selma tried to help him light his pipe minutes before judging was to take place. His matches were wet, and Selma had been practicing a new fire spell at school and was very eager to show him she could do it. Unfortunately, when she cast the spell, her father chose that exact moment to move his hand, and the little spark she cast missed the pipe entirely and struck the nearest thing in its path.”
Simon’s eyes widened with amused dread. “The cow?”
“The cow,” AngelFyre confirmed forlornly. “It went up in flames at once. Its front legs were the first casualty, positioning it to look as if it were bowing to the baby King of kings in his manger. Selma’s father was both shocked and devastated, but Selma was thrilled. It was her first successful casting of the spell, so her practice had paid off, but that fact did not help her father in the moment. She thought quickly and tried another spell she had only just learned. To her astonishment, the cow re-formed itself right there in front of them, good as new, and right before the judges arrived.”
Kendric offered his theory. “And let me guess… he won?”
“Of course he won!” AngelFyre said, smiling.“The story was my little homage to O. Henry.”
Simon and Kendric clapped, and one of them whistled. Ainsley laughed, and the sound tinkled like the little jingle bells on the collar of Mrs. Kerr’s cur, Diego. It was a lighter, happier laugh than before, and AngelFyre’s heart gladdened. Simon shook his head, grinning at her from ear to ear. “I'm now suddenly very afraid for the structural integrity of these sculptures we are on our way to see,” he said with mock concern.
AngelFyre bumped his shoulder gently. “Oh, pshaw. My talent only lies in imagining a world of make-believe magic, so the reality is that all butter sculptures in Stenton village shall be safe from me and the magical wand I carry with me absolutely everywhere I go.” She boldly met his wide grin inch for inch with one of her own and raised it a knowing wink.
Simon arched a brow at her quickly in honest surprise at the line he worried she was toeing so carelessly, but then he quickly recovered his own composure. Was she flirting with danger in her response? Sure, but the word she chose to focus on in that moment was flirting, and she blew him a kiss, the white trail of which could be seen forging a misty path right towards his luscious lips.
The earlier tension had eased considerably as they all rounded the corner toward the butter sculpture booths. The crowd was thickening, and the early afternoon was growing bright with lantern light and winter cheer.
AngelFyre breathed in deeply the mingled scents of woodsmoke, cinnamon, and cold winter air. She felt Simon’s arm around her waist and his fingers pressing into her side, drawing her closer as they walked. She smiled. This… this moment, this day, this gathering of people she loved… was in that moment… perfect.
And she had no idea how much more the day still held.
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The magic is real.
The Quiet That Lives Between Us
Boxing Day festivities as @AngelFyre McCubbin explores her village
After paying for the chocolates, they went passed more booths with other items for sale and Simon smiled as he watched AngelFyre talk with some of her neighbors in Stenton as well as reminience with Ainsley and Kendric about various moments of their childhood. It was nice to see her in her element like this and see how it wasn't just he that gravitated so well toward her - but everyone. She was a remarkable person so it didn't surprise him but it did please him.
They came across one booth were a tv was set up. Many were standing around it with muled wine and other spirits. Showing across the screen was a live hockey game of the Glasgow Clan vs. the Dundee Stars. Simon did pause to take it in a moment, having an interest in the sport since he played it in years past.
The Clan was demonstrating the more powerful playing at that particular moment and for the game itself as the score showed and Simon watched the puck pass from player to player near the net. One player set up a shot and it missed, causing the Stenton Village Boxing Day viewers into a grumble but Simon shook his head. "That was a deliberate missed shot," he said quietly to no one. "Good angle," he said of the player who currently occupied the puck. "That's in," Simon added. He didn't wait to see though and went back to look at the booth next door as the crowd at the muled wine stand errupted in cheers to confirm he had been right and called the shot moments before it happened. Simon wasn't the seer in the village that day but sometimes he had an intuition about things.
Another booth caught his eye and he looked around for AngelFyre, seeing her off with a family that perhaps she knew. They had a couple younger children and she was showing off Hillary's tricks. Simon wasn't sure if Hillary was doing it for the treats or the laughter from the children at that point because that tail of hers was waving faster than it had all day. The dog too was probably loving some extra time with AngelFyre.
Simon used this opportunity to slip away and explore a particular booth, hoping to purchase a quick surprise and it seemed that he was able to do so, slipping the contents of his purchase into his pocket before returning to her side.
When he joined back up with AngelFyre, there was a woman nearby with a small table with a sign posting that she was colleccting money for a local charity. Simon dropped his change and then some into her donation box and she smiled which he returned.
"I heard sayings of a Boxing Day dip, Sugarpuff....." he threw out the idea to AngelFyre as he playfully bumped his hip into hers. They had done something similar back at Hogwarts and he'd be up for it again if she so chose. It was one of those traditions where peopel gathered near some water and participants ran or waded into the icy water before warming up with blankets and hot chocolate. It was a symbolic sort of 'fresh start.' "It's down at Longniddry Bents and is happening midday. I hear the charity benefits a local hospital. I think it could be a splash of a good time." Maybe a pun could entice her.
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)