Thomas: hi guys—

All of you: Aye yo, bruh, you a little sus.

Fawn's POV

It was an absolutely beautiful afternoon. The sun was shining bright, and a gentle breeze was kissing my skin.

I sighed in delight, letting my eyes fall shut as I turned my head up towards the pleasant sunlight.

"We don't get many days like this anymore..." I murmured softly, basking in this feeling.

Alastor chuckled, "are there no sunny days in the future?" He asked me, and I opened my eyes, looking over at him.

I gave him a small, almost sad smile.

"Blistering hot...or frigid cold...barely anything nice like this in between..." I explained softly. He eyed me curiously, tilting his head.

"The weather changes in the future?" He asked me, to which I shrugged and sighed.

"Climate change and air pollution..." I grimaced, "they'll kick ya right in the ass..."

My tone had turned sour and he seemed to notice my mood shift. He unhooked our arms and laced his fingers through mine before giving my hand a squeeze, "well, how about you and I enjoy this one in a million day, hm? You deserve it," he said.

A smile replaced my sour frown and I looked over at him, "thanks..." I said softly, and he gave me a warm smile. Then the diner came into view and any negative feelings I had lingering disappeared as excitement took over.

I can't believe I'm getting to see it when it's nearly brand new! My mom used to tell me story after story about how much she loved it and all the mischief she would get up to.

A little bell chimed overhead when we entered, and the smell was what nearly knocked me off my feet as soon as we arrived.

It smelled like fresh breakfast and savory delights, a hint of freshly ground coffee weaving through everything to create an aroma that made my mouth water.

A little hostess spotted us and scurried over. Her blue dress and white apron made her look adorable, and she reminded me a tad bit of Niffty. She had big, bouncy brown hair and a medium brown complexion.

Very faint freckles dotted her nose and when she smiled I immediately noticed the small gap in her teeth that gave her a charming bit of character.

"Hello you two!" She greeted us warmly, her thick southern accent making her sound even friendlier, "is it just ya'll, or are we waitin for some more?" She asked kindly with that same smile.

"Just us," I chirped, returning her smile with one of my own. She snatched up a little booklet and a pen and swiftly turned on her heel.

"Alrighty then, darlins, follow me!" She said, and I happily drug Alastor along until we reached a nice little table by a window.

After settling in, the hostess placed a thing of silverware in front of both Alastor and me, the shiny utensils being wrapped neatly in a white napkin.

"My name is Tilly, and I will be your waitress on this fine afternoon...might I start you lovelies with anything to drink?" She asked, whipping out her little booklet and her pen.

"Coffee, black," Alastor said, giving Tilly a bright smile of his own. The waitress scribbled it down and then turned her pretty smile towards me.

"Oh, sweet tea for me!" I said, and she nodded.

"That's my favorite, too, baby!" She chirped and snapped her booklet shut, "I'll be right along with those drinks, in the meantime give the menu a look-see," she said as she scurried off to go get our drinks.

I took a moment to look around, observing everything around me. The diner itself was relatively empty except for a few old couples scattered about.

Looking back to Alastor I didn't even try to hide the smile that was splitting my features. He had a twinkle of amusement in his eyes and he leaned forward slightly, "now, dear, had I known this was all it took to make a woman happy, perhaps I'd not be the single man I am today," he quipped, making me roll my eyes.

"Alastor, all you have to do is glance at a woman and she nearly faints...you could probably have any woman or man you wanted if you so chose to pursue them," I said back playfully, watching a bit of color dust his face as he scoffed and sat back again.

"You included, cher?" He shot back with a smirk, and I shook my head despite the blush that betrayed my answer.

"In your dreams, radio boy," I said with a smirk of my own before chuckling and grabbing a menu. He chuckled as well, and took his own menu, looking over it.

"Hmmm...you have been here before, cher, have you not? What should I get," he asked me, grabbing my attention away from my own menu. Glancing back down I put my lips into a thoughtful pout and hummed.

"Well, their jambalaya is really good...kinda hot, but that's what makes it pop...my mom actually used to know the recipe, and she would make it for me sometimes..." I smiled, running my finger over the printed letters, "...she promised to teach me one day...but..."

There was a silence between us, my eyes down as I remembered her batting me out of the kitchen when I was younger.

'Family secret, cher! Mommy will let you in when you're older, just like Nana did for me!'

She'd laugh and scoot me out of the kitchen while I pouted. The food always made up for it, though.

"Why don't we try that one then, hm?" Alastor piped up, making me raise my eyes to his. He still wore his big smile, but his eyes were softer as he looked at me.

I lifted my solemn smile and nodded, "definitely!" I said, giggling softly.

Just then Tilly arrived back with our drinks, setting Alastor's coffee in front of him and my tea in front of me. She then opened up her booklet and looked between us.

"Alrighty darlins, what can I get for you!" She asked happily.

"Um, we'd both just like an order of your jambalaya, please!" I said with a friendly smile, and Tilly scribbled it down.

"Why of course! Would you folks like that Cajun style?" She questioned, tilting her head. I glanced at Alastor and he nodded slightly, his smile widening.

"Sure!" I chirped, looking back to our waitress.

Once again her booklet snapped shut, "you got it, junebug! Sit tight and Tilly will be right back with that food for ya," she said before gathering our menus and hurrying off.

I chuckled softly, "she sure does have a lot of energy," I said, and Alastor hummed in agreement.

"She reminds me of little Niffty!" He commented, and my eyes widened as I leaned forward.

"I was thinking the same thing!" I whispered excitedly. We both started laughing and I settled back into my seat.

"Speaking of..." I started, "Niffty told me you two have known each other for a while now," I said, "she seems to think very fondly of you..." my fingers tapped on the table and he sipped at his coffee, giving me an expectant look.

I lowered my voice, my smile dampening, "she knows, doesn't she...?" I asked, making him take a deep breath before he nodded.

Of course she does...that does explain the off feeling I get around her.

Deciding to just leave it at that, I moved on to a different topic, "uh...how about Thomas? He seems really nice, a lot better than Henry," I commented, watching as Alastor sat up a bit straighter and shrugged.

"Yes, he's much more professional...I'm not sure how I feel just yet about him, though, I haven't gotten to interact with the man enough," he said, and I nodded.

It's understandable to leave off forming opinions until you know someone a little better, especially if you're Alastor.

He probably doesn't trust anyone except Niffty.

"I was actually wondering how you felt about him...he seemed to take a real liking to you," he added, making me blink in surprise.

Why does he care what I think?

When I looked up at him, he looked tense. His fingers drummed against the coffee mug, and he kept his eyes locked on me as he waited for my answer.

I shrugged, "he's nice enough, and treated me kindly," I said, "dresses well, doesn't smell like smoke and alcohol—he's a pretty nice guy, I think," I finished with a nod, all my opinions being purely platonic towards Thomas.

Sure he's attractive, but it's not like I'd bend over backwards if he asked me on a date.

A bit of the tension left Alastor's shoulders and he chuckled deeply, lowering his eyelids as his smile took on a dangerous note.

"You'd have said the same thing of me, right cher?" He asked me lowly, and my eyes widened.

I chuckled and shrugged, "you got me there, I guess...it's just a bit far fetched to believe that everyone is like you," I said and arched an eyebrow at him.

He chuckled as well, losing that threatening tone, "I suppose...I still want you to be a bit careful though," he said and I blushed slightly.

"Yea, yea, I understand," I waved him off, smiling softly, "you don't want me to get myself killed before our deal is up," I added playfully.

He looked at me a moment, his expression turning softer before he looked away out the window.

"Right..." he chuckled quietly.

I was perplexed by whatever that was. The hesitation, the softness in his eyes...he's always so hard to read, emotion wise.

I couldn't help but think back to what mama Edith said...about his feelings towards me. There's no possible way that's correct, I mean he...he hardly even knows me.

Also, Alastor doesn't really seem like a man to share affection like that...he can be sweet, but I think that's just the gentleman in him.

He did share his bed with me...but he just wanted me to stop screaming in my sleep. There's nothing else behind that.

But he also pulled me into his chest...which that memory alone ties my chest in knots. He was so warm, and I can with certainty say I have never been so comfortable before.

I tried to keep my face from flushing at the memory, my stomach fluttering wildly. Mixed signals is an understatement...

Just then, our food arrived. When I looked up to thank Tilly, I was surprised to see it was not Tilly.

My breath froze and my eyes widened slightly at the woman. She was middle aged but had a motherly look about her, a kind smile on her soft features.

It was absolutely not a question that the woman I'm staring at is my great great grandmother...but what surprised me the most was how much she looked like my mother.

She had her eyes, her nose...even her lips were the same.

We made eye contact and she smiled at me, "hello, cher," she said, "I've got a gift here for you n' ya beau."

She shot me a wink as she laid the food down in front of us, and it took me a second to snap out of my stupor. When I finally got a hold of myself, I blinked and smiled back, nodding to her.

My brain couldn't properly formulate any words.

I watched her turn to walk away, and finally found my vocal cords. For a moment it was just her and I, and I desperately wanted to be one hundred percent sure that this woman was my late relative.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" I called after her, to which she promptly turned back towards us, coming back to our table.

"Yes, dollbaby?" She responded sweetly, and my throat felt slightly dry.

"I-I was just wondering...what's your name?" I asked her, looking into her light jade colored eyes.

She smiled, "Dahlia," she said, then tilted her head, "what's your name, cher?" She asked me in return, and I had to keep my heart from leaping out of my throat.

"Fawn..." I responded softly, and her eyes lit up.

"Oh! Fawn! What a gorgeous name, I just love the name Fawn...well, you two kids enjoy, now!" She said, waving as she walked off back to the kitchen.

I watched her, wanting to leap from this booth and wrap my arms around her. I wanted to bury my face in her chest and feel her squeeze me in a big hug...I wanted to hear her sing, and feel her nails against my back as she rocked me to sleep.

Instead, all I could do was watch her disappear through the metal doors...

Finally I turned to face Alastor, and he had his head cocked to the side, a confused smile on his face.

"What was that all about?" He asked me curiously, and I picked up my fork, smiling slightly as I looked down at the food and shook my head.

"That was my great great grandmother..." I said quietly, "she looks just like momma..."

I laughed slightly, looking back up, "this is all so strange, y'know? Being here...so surreal..." I said, and he shrugged.

"I can't say I share the feeling, cher...but, how do you know it was her for certain?" He asked me, and I looked off where the kitchen was, where she'd disappeared to.

"Well...she said her name was Dahlia..." I started, and then turned back towards him as he stared at me expectantly, "my full name is Fawn Dahlia Beaumont," I finished.

Then I chuckled, "and since I got my middle name because of her...I can only assume..." I said, and he chuckled as well.

"I see...I'd say that's a proper assumption then," he said with a nod. I smiled, taking a deep breath before I started to eat.

The flavors hitting my tongue immediately reminded me of home...my home, back at my apartment. I sighed softly and closed my eyes.

In moments like this, it almost seems like more of a blessing than a curse that I've been sent to this time period.