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Backdated to August

Sakura hadn't told anyone when she made the decision to get herself an apartment to be able to work on her sewing at. She hadn't thought anything of it, that anyone would worry or that anyone would miss the copious amounts of fabric she had shoved into her closet at the townhouse.

It wasn't overly large, just a two bedroom with a decent size bathroom and in house laundry, but it was enough to set up all her sewing needs, especially now that she had an actual client. The location was nice enough, close enough to a few stores if she needed anything and close enough to work if she ended up falling asleep there instead of at home at the townhouse.

Even so, she felt a sort of odd guilt weighing on her when she finally told Liam about it. Noa had even come over before she told him, having helped her add vivid red streaks to the underside of her hair and bangs, and that only added to the guilt. Having given him the address, all she could do now was wait for him to arrive and try to keep herself busy while she waited.

Sleet Tempest Snape
Liam had been watching out for Sakura, keeping an eye on her, since he knew she’d had an upset in her life. She was still new to things, new to this life of hers, and to have an upset so early on - he’d been concerned. So he’d continued mirror walking over with food, leaving tuperpwares i nthe fridge for her, he kept track of other things and helped out when she wasn’t around to see. From doing laundry to dusting and cleaning, it was little things which mattered in his opinion, so he continued on with things.

It was because of this that he knew she kept a load of fabric around the place, and he’d noticed when it had gone missing, and while it did concern him he hadn’t brought it up. Today however he’d decided to ask her about things, to see how she was doing, if there was anything he could do to help her he would. She was a part of his spouses team and he did care for her, and worry about her, she was young still. That was why he’d accepted her invitation, though he didn’t recognize the address, so when he did arrive he was cautious as he knocked. Awkward as he stood at the door step, wondering what was going on, had she decided to move out?


The knock on the door alerted Sakura to Liam's arrival and she quickly made her way over, grinning as she swung the door open. “Hey!” There was a light in her eyes again, even if it wasn't nearly as vibrant as before. Newly dyed red streaks adorned her hair, as well as the entire underside of it, and the dark circles seemed to have receded for now.

“You came! I'm glad! Please, come in.” She moved out of the way, gesturing for him to enter. “Sorry if it's a little messy. I was working on a project earlier. There shouldn't be any stray pins or needles though, so there's no need to worry about that.”

Just inside the door was a small living area with a couch, coffee table, and TV. Across from that was a kitchenette with an island counter. Further in, there was a second living area that had been turned into a sewing station with two mannequins, and a desk with a few machines on it. Three doors could be seen, two of them were bedrooms and one was a bathroom.

“Make yourself comfortable. Do you want anything to eat or drink? I just put some stuff in the fridge.”

Sleet Tempest Snape
Stepping inside he nodded his head once, slowly. “A project?” Taking the time to glance about, to see what she’d done with this place. “You’re not moving out of the house though…?” He questioned, getting right to the point. He was worried about her leaving, this place seemed rather small, and he felt like she still could use some support from himself and his spouse.

“I’m fine, I ate earlier.” His shoes came off at the door, he was polite about such things, as he headed for the living room to find himself a seat. “What were you working on earlier?” Curious about that, about what she did in her free time, he wanted to know more about her…as much as he could. He’d tell his partner, of course, it was all so they could keep her happy and safe…to make sure she was doing well.


Oh. The thought never occurred to her that he would worry about that. “No! Absolutely not! I promise I'm not leaving, Liam.” Her hands caught his, her skin was cold and bandaids were wrapped around a few of her fingers from sticking herself with pins. “I thought this would be less stress on Aloy for when I have people over. And more space for my fabric.”

At the question of what she was working on, she lit up and gently tugged on his hands before he could sit down. “I'll show you!” She eagerly brought him further back to show him two mannequins, one scantily clad and another in a dramatic goth toned dress. “The dress is for Saleeite once she has her kids and is recovered. This though. This one is an actual job with a client and everything.” She gestured eagerly at the far less covered mannequin. “I got referred to someone, information got passed to people, and suddenly I ended up making clothes for a uh. Exotic performer.” It was the polite way of saying what Eles did, of course, but she knew Liam would get what she meant.

“With having to do fittings, and the potential for having more people over, I thought it might be a better idea to have an apartment for it all, so to not stress Aloysius out. I know he still does lessons at the house, and I know he's incredibly private, so I thought this would be better. Plus….. I'm somewhat seeing someone, and I'm absolutely positive Aloy wouldn't enjoy him coming to the townhouse.” She wasn't really sure what to call whatever she and Adrian were, so saying she was just seeing him would suffice for now. “Besides, I use one bedroom to crash in if I'm here til an ungodly hour, and then I use the second one to store all my fabric and stuff. It's like a giant walk in fabric closet and it's glorious.”

She squeezed his hands again, wanting to reassure him however she could. “But… I worried you again, didnt I?” Her brows knit together in a frown, feeling guilty again. “I'm sorry, Liam. I keep doing that.”

Sleet Tempest Snape
“Oh!” That was good, she wasn’t moving out, Aloysius would have worried himself needlessly if she was. He’d have worried over not doing something, providing something, or that maybe he’d somehow overdone something. His spouse was prone to worry over things, not that Liam didn’t as well but not like his partner. Surprised as she grabbed him, and dragged him which was no easy task, he was surprised by the clothing he saw. “I remember seeing her, she’s far along isn’t she.” She was, right? He couldn’t exactly remember, he was terrible with those sorts of things, but he knew she was pregnant. He’d run into her working at the lounge gathering glasses from people to turn in, it was an easy way for her to work and make quota while being pregnant. It was safe.

“Ohhhh.” And he did, though he’d never personally seen such things, he was rather vanilla and innocent when it came to such things, but he knew what she meant - how could he not? Or at least he had a very good idea, maybe he didn’t know everything which it entailed. “I’m sure your name and information will get around that community then…” Which would mean more business for her, that was a good thing, it would help her with a small little business.

“I can see the reason for this, I’ll let Aloysius know so he doesn’t panic if he discovers you have another place or anything. To settle his mind, of course.” He wouldn’t tell him everything, about the sort of customers, he didn’t want to worry his spouse but he did want him to know so he didn't panic over her having this place of hers.

“I will always worry, I’m good at it, so don’t be sorry. But I do want to know about this dating thing…” While he also maybe wouldn’t mind seeing her fabric closet, fabric couldn’t be cheap and she had so much already?


“Mm. She's due in October, but it's twins and twins usually come anywhere from one to two months early. So honestly she could have them anytime from here on.” Sakura wasn't the biggest fan of babies and absolutely wanted nothing to do with the screaming creatures the vast majority of the time, but her friend was excited, so she was excited for her.

She grinned and nodded. “I hope so. I'm having fun with this, honestly. I get to be creative, and the guy who turned out to be my client is an interesting person, so it's a win win for me.” She gestured to a stack of a few sketchbooks. “He sparks quite a lot of inspiration for me too.”

At the mention of Aloysius, she looked guilty. “I probably should have told him before I got the place…but you've both had a lot on your plates and I didn't want to add any stress to it. Especially with how much of a mess I've been. He works so hard, and I didn't want to worry him over anything, y'know? I…..I wanna tell him myself though, if that's alright? Just need to find the time.” Above all else, Sakura’s loyalty was to Aloysius and Aloysius alone, and it would never waver. She never wanted to give him reason to doubt her loyalty and trust.

She laughed softly, blushing ever so slightly. “I'm not sure if I'd say we're dating but… he's an alright guy. I mean, he's definitely the rough around the edges sort, but he's fun, y'know? We met when he came to work on the HVAC at the Encore and we hit it off, then went out for drinks later at a bar. I impressed him by kicking a few asses at pool, and… I dunno, I just have fun with him. I don't know where it's going, if it'll be anything more than drinking buddies or a fling or what. But….I like it. And he's one of us, too. So there's less to worry about in terms of fraternizing or identities and stuff.” She shied away from telling Liam that the man was, in fact, a walking red flag. She didn't need to worry him any further than she already had, after all. “But he's also the sort of person that I highly doubt Aloysius would enjoy me bringing to the townhouse. Adrian is a lot of things, but a proper gentleman is not one of them.” Frankly she dreaded the idea of him ever meeting Liam or Aloysius. Adrian didn't seem the sort to have the world's best filter, and she knew if he ever said anything even remotely rude about either man, she would likely launch a punch right at his stupidly pretty face. “He's….. different from the last. Incredibly different. He's loud and unabashed and unreserved. He calls me babe.” She grinned as she thought about the warm feeling she got when he called her that with his arm around her, looking quite a bit like a smitten teen.

Sleet Tempest Snape
“I had heard that, about twins coming early, it makes sense. The body can only manage so much I’d assume.” So the body wanting them out sooner, or needing them out sooner, made sense to him. Perhaps he should have his partner call the officer and make sure they were ok, let them know he wanted a call when she went into labor, as Liam was sure he’d want an update on them. Aloysius might even get something for the babies, he knew his partner, he was just wondering how long before his spouse brought up the idea of children himself….he was certain it would come up eventually.

Raising a brow at the collection of sketchbooks he nodded slowly, very slowly. “Inspiration…I can tell.” That was a lot of inspiration, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to look really, but at least she was happy and inspired. It would keep her in business and that was good. “Alright, I’ll let you tell him. Just be honest and to the point, don’t let him have the time to assume things or start imagining things.” Because he likely would, if given the chance. It was just how his spouse was.

“At least he’s one of us, not that you should turn someone down based on them not being involved in things, but it makes things easier.” So long as you dated chaos, negaverse or dark mirror, it made things easier as far as Liam was concerned. He assumed his spouse felt similarly considering he was a general and would worry over a civilian more than he did Liam, at least he could power up and take care of himself, though he did know Aloysius did worry over him a lot. Aloysius, if he knew about her boyfriend, would worry…especially if he knew what she was hiding from them both. He would worry as well, because of course he would, but he didn’t know and so instead he was happy for her. She was smiling and happy looking, pleased even, that was good and he was happy for her.

“Sometimes different is good, or so I’ve heard, date one type and it fails…try something else. It might work.” But he didn’t know first hand, how could he? He’d never dated anyone aside from the man he was married to now. He’d never wanted to date before Aloysius and even that hadn’t been planned, it had sort of happened, he was still surprised it had happened at all…wasn’t sure how it had happened. “I’m no proper gentleman either. But I understand what you’re saying. I suggest talking to him, bringing some pastries over, and be right to the point with him. It’ll be fine.”


“I've been keeping an eye on her and she seems to be doing good. Her man is taking good care of her too, from what I can tell. Not that I've met him.” Her nose wrinkled at the idea of meeting Polarite, not fond of whatever vibe he seemed to give off. “But I'll let her know to give you updates. I know she cares about you and Aloysius both, almost as much as I do, and I know she wouldn't want either of you to worry.” She smiled warmly as she spoke of Noa, clearly quite endeared to the woman.

“I promise to talk to him and be honest. I know he'll worry, which is why I hadn't said anything so far. I've been waiting for a good time when he isn't too busy with everything.” She sighed and ran a hand through her hair, making a mental note to at least text her boss later and ask when a good time to talk would be.

She laughed softly and glanced at the pile of books. “Some of that is ….from before I met you both. They're old designs I don't remember, but I've been looking through them and seeing if any of them can work or can be altered to work. It's strange….looking at things I definitely drew but have no memory of. It's surreal.” She shrugged a shoulder. “I don't dwell on it too much though, aside from wondering what the hell I was thinking with some of the more out there designs. My client, Eles, gives me a good bit to work with too. He's the sort of person who would look good in anything you put him in, I think. Sometimes I wanna shove him in a suit, just to see if he would look as charming as I imagine he would.” The devious glint in her eyes gave away that it was more than just sometimes, and that she definitely wouldn't pass up the chance to put him in formal wear.

Her smile faltered then, as he said he wasn't a gentleman. “Liam, sweetheart, you are the kindest, most gentle, sweetest person I have ever met. You are an actual saint compared to Adrian. And that is exactly why I would highly like to avoid him being anywhere near you. He can be a real d**k and has zero filter, and if he ever said anything bad about you even in joking, I might have to rip his starseed out myself.” The smile on her face was borderline scary as she said this. Liam was far too precious to her to ever let anyone say even a single bad word about him. “Maybe if one day he calms his s**t down and learns how to play nice, I'll introduce you. But for now, just….. know that I'm alright and I'm having fun. I'll send you a pic next time I'm on a date with him, sound good?”