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Post by Hoyt Fortenberry on Jul 27, 2011 19:40:37 GMT -7
Hoyt had been looking forward to this weekend for a couple of weeks now, going to New Orleans with Holly was his first real step in putting Jessica completely in his past and beginning a new life with someone else. He knew Holly and him weren't an official 'item' yet but it was in the air, he could feel it and he knew that she could feel it too.
They were good friends now, Hoyt had made every effort he could to see Holly whenever her 'friend' Hallow wasn't around. He didn't like Hallow, and he couldn't say that about many people. He liked Holly's friend Brandy, but something about Hallow just didn't feel right in his stomach. It was if Hallow didn't want them together, but that was silly wasn't it? Surely Hallow just wanted Holly to be happy, and Hoyt knew he could make her happy.
Hoyt tried to put it in the back of his mind as he continued setting the table. Hoyt couldn't cook a damn himself, except for microwave meals and take out, but he managed to throw a frozen lasagna in the oven. He had invited Holly over for a 'pre-trip' dinner where they would eat together and finalize all their plans before they left tomorrow morning.
He set the table with candles, taking the lasagna and garlic bread out of the oven. The only thing missing now was Holly, who would probably be knocking on the door at any moment.
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Post by Holly Cleary on Jul 27, 2011 20:59:23 GMT -7
How in the world was Holly going to tell him? They had been planning their trip to New Orleans for weeks now, and both of them had been absolutely ecstatic about it- Holly had even planned on surprising him by introducing him to the most important part of her life, her son, something she didn’t do lightly. Hell, Hallow hadn’t even met Cody. Then again, Hallow was the reason that Holly was less than ecstatic tonight.
Hallow had always been a tiny bit… needy… when it came to Holly. She was a fantastic witch, one of the best Holly had ever met, to say the least, but the minute Holly seemed to find a niche for herself that didn’t involve the older witch, Hallow became stubborn and whiny, insisting she couldn’t do so much as lift a ritual cup without Holly’s assistance. So far, Holly had never been bothered by it- everyone had their hangups, right? Why should Hallow be any different? But then Hoyt had crossed paths with her… sweet, sweet, wonderful Hoyt, and Hallow had become even more mulish than ever.
When Holly had told her that she had plans that weekend, to say Hallow had thrown a fit would have been putting it politely. Hallow had accused Holly of everything from whoring herself out to abandoning the coven, putting her own sexual proclivities above the greater good of the rest, to simply being a spiteful bitch. Holly hadn’t been amused, but she also knew that without Hallow, she would be back in a guttar in New Orleans, hoping to forget who she was- and what she had become. It was better to appease Hallow, to build her up to the idea of spending a weekend without Holly… surely Hoyt would forgive her?
She sighed, sliding out of her car and walking up the sidewalk to his house, knocking on the door lightly.
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Post by Hoyt Fortenberry on Jul 27, 2011 21:24:20 GMT -7
Hoyt felt like a little school boy who had his first crush when there was a light knock on the door. He rushed to put the final touches on the table, making sure the squares of lasagna were perfectly placed on each plate and that a big bottle of parmesan cheese sat centered between their plates. There were butterflies in his stomach knowing that just behind the door was the most beautiful woman in his life and he tossed the dish towel on the counter before wiping his hands on his jeans.
... silly Hoyt, all that effort to make everything look perfect and he wipes his dirty hands on his jeans.
He thought little of it when he answered the door, a bright smile on his face as he ran his hand through his hair and took a step back to let her in. He had been so happy to see her, he didn't notice that she seemed a little down in the dumps.
"Hols, come on in. I just finished putting supper on the table"
He waited until she was inside before he closed the door behind her. He reached for her coat, helping her out of it and hanging it up in the closet. Walking behind her to the dining room he pulled out her chair and finally took a seat beside her.
"I can't say it is homemade, but it smells decent enough. Hope you like it, cause I am not much of a cook..."
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Post by Holly Cleary on Jul 27, 2011 22:03:37 GMT -7
All it took was a smile from Hoyt to make Holly feel a little less… jumbled. Even with Hallow, Holly had a hard time finding her center and truly focusing, but around Hoyt, it was like she drew off of his natural energy to feel a little more like her old self- and as he took her coat, she took a moment to just bask in it.
"Hols, come on in. I just finished putting supper on the table"
She nodded, trying to gather the words that she needed to tell him that their trip was off. That once again, Hallow had trumped him… but she couldn’t. She didn’t want to disappoint Hoyt, not when he looked so happy....
"I can't say it is homemade, but it smells decent enough. Hope you like it, cause I am not much of a cook..."
“I’m sure it’s wonderful.” She said sincerely, resting her hand on top of his for a brief second before placing it back in her lap. Her other hand toyed with her fork. Best to just get it over with. “Uh, Hoyt?” She met his gaze, her blue eyes intense with frustration and disappointment, neither of which were directed at him. “I can’t go tomorrow, I’m sorry.” He couldn’t possibly know just how sorry she truly was- if it was possible, she had been looking forward to this trip even more than he had. “Hallow needs me in Shreveport to help her prepare for the meeting this weekend.”
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Post by Hoyt Fortenberry on Jul 27, 2011 22:46:34 GMT -7
“I’m sure it’s wonderful.”
Hoyt actually chuckled at that, his other hand coming on top of hers before she put her own hand back in her lap.
"Hopefully you still think that after you taste it"
He picked up his fork, hoping it really did taste alright. When she called out to him she had his full attention, but he didn't know if he liked the tone of her voice. She could clearly see the expression on his face change as she told him the news and it was clear he was disappointed. He was silent for a good minute, finally taking in a deep breath and putting down his fork.
"Holly... we have been planning this for a couple of weeks. Now suddenly, Hallow decides she needs you in Shreveport for the weekend? Holly, this isn't fair, there isn't even any time to reschedule because everything was already booked. The tour guide, the restaurant reservations.. everything. Are you sure there isn't anyway to change her mind? Maybe Brandy could take your place?"
Now, more than ever, he was certain Hallow had something against him. He knew it wasn't Holly's fault but it seemed pretty damn wrong for Hallow to just go ahead and demand Holly's presence the very weekend they were going away.
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Post by Holly Cleary on Jul 27, 2011 23:00:08 GMT -7
"Hopefully you still think that after you taste it"
Hopefully you don’t hate me after what I have to say, Holly added silently with a sigh. As his expression changed, Holly’s gaze went to her food, which she began to push around anxiously with her fork. She hadn’t wanted to hurt Hoyt, that had never been her intention- but it was clear he just didn’t get her relationship with Hallow. She owed everything to her.
"Holly... we have been planning this for a couple of weeks. Now suddenly, Hallow decides she needs you in Shreveport for the weekend?”
How could she explain to him the way the coven worked? Hallow was their leader, and Holly… Holly had been handpicked to be her pupil, to rise above the rest. When Hallow told her to jump, Holly not only asked how high, but which planet Hallow would like her to touch on the ascent. “I’m sorry.” She said meekly enough, her tone miserable.
Holly, this isn't fair, there isn't even any time to reschedule because everything was already booked. The tour guide, the restaurant reservations.. everything. Are you sure there isn't anyway to change her mind? Maybe Brandy could take your place?"
“I’ll pay you back your part.” She didn’t have the money, but she was pretty sure that Hallow wouldn’t begrudge her that in order to keep her for the big circle on Sunday. “Just give me a couple days.” She rubbed her eyes with her palm, seeming to shrink in on herself with his displeasure focused on her. She had forgotten how mad men could get…. How much temper they had…
But Hoyt wasn’t angry. Not belligerently, anyway. Holly blinked. See the truth, not the memory, she chided herself, her eyes searching his face, trying to force herself to quell her anxiety. He isn’t like that.
But he could be…. Shut up Holly.
“I’m sorry, Hoyt. I know you don’t understand it, or why it has to be me, but it does. It can’t be Brandy, it can’t be Katie, it’s me. And… I owe Hallow a lot. This is a pretty simple thing she’s asking of me. I’m sorry that it messes up our plans, but she needs me.”
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Post by Hoyt Fortenberry on Jul 27, 2011 23:19:48 GMT -7
“I’ll pay you back your part.”
Hoyt shook his head, his gaze looking to the food in front of him before looking back at her.
"It doesn't have anything to do with the money Holly, it's the time with you I am missing out on. Money can be replaced, time with you can't."
Suddenly he had lost his appetite, at least at that moment he did - he was a guy so chances are he would be hungry in a few minutes anyway. He felt bad that he was angry, but he couldn't deny that he was. Not even angry, more.. disappointed, he was really looking forward to the weekend.
“I’m sorry, Hoyt. I know you don’t understand it, or why it has to be me, but it does. It can’t be Brandy, it can’t be Katie, it’s me. And… I owe Hallow a lot. This is a pretty simple thing she’s asking of me. I’m sorry that it messes up our plans, but she needs me.”
Now it was Hoyt's time to be silent, he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before he picked up his fork and cut off a piece of lasagna for himself. He chewed it, swallowed, took a big drink of coke and finally looked back at her.
"Alright then, we will just make it for another weekend. Have some lasagna, it really ain't all that bad"
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Post by Holly Cleary on Jul 27, 2011 23:36:13 GMT -7
"It doesn't have anything to do with the money Holly, it's the time with you I am missing out on. Money can be replaced, time with you can't."
Holly’s pale cheeks flushed. I told you he wasn’t like that.
Yet.
“It’s just Shreveport. You can still see me this weekend.” Even though it wasn’t quite as good as the prospect of a mini vacation, that was true. While Holly would admit there was… something in the air, so to speak, between them, she wasn’t ready for a relationship. She still hadn’t even been fully honest with him about who she was, or what had brought her to Bon Temps, and she wasn’t one to start something based on a lie. She and Hoyt were friends, close friends, and for now, Holly wanted it to stay that way.
When he didn’t answer her, Holly was almost positive that she had angered him enough that he was going to tell her to get out. She was prepared to rise from her chair- tensed for it, even- when he looked at her finally.
"Alright then, we will just make it for another weekend. Have some lasagna, it really ain't all that bad"
“I’m sorry.” She apologized again, but dutifully raised her fork to cut her own piece of lasagna. “Thank you for being so understanding, though.” She raised her fork to her mouth, taking a bite, her eyes lighting up. “This is really good, Hoyt.” She told him sincerely, giving him a small smile. “Really good.”
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Post by Hoyt Fortenberry on Jul 28, 2011 7:11:49 GMT -7
As disappointed as he was, Hoyt didn't want to dwell on it. It wasn't like it solved anything anyway, it would only serve to make Holly feel bad and that was the last thing Hoyt had wanted. It was better just to accept it and like she had said, he would still be able to see her. The trip could be planned for another weekend, even though Hoyt had his doubts that "another" weekend would just end up in sudden plans made for Holly by Hallow as well.
It made Hoyt wonder why someone as smart as Holly would like someone like Hallow. He mentally told himself to quit it, it wasn't very Christian of him to keep assuming things about Hallow when he didn't really know her. Holly must of had her reasons, Holly must of seen something in Hallow that he couldn't. It was time to stop thinking about Hallow and focus on the real reason why Holly was there - to enjoy supper with him.
“This is really good, Hoyt. Really good.”
He smiled, taking another bite as he did so. It would of been stone cold in the middle, but he would still eat it - hell, he ate egg shells and raw eggs once simply because he was hungry enough too. It almost made him a bit bitter thinking about it - he was certain that Holly would never do something like that to him, even if she was mad at him.
"I rented a movie for us to watch, I didn't really know what you like but you are all into witchcraft and stuff so I rented The Craft" The box looked witchy enough, that was about as far as his knowledge had went.
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Post by Holly Cleary on Jul 28, 2011 8:04:38 GMT -7
It didn’t take long for Holly to finish her own portion- she hadn’t had anything to eat all day between nerves about how to tell Hoyt and Hallow’s own demands of her second-in-command. She hadn’t been lying when she had said it was good, either. When she finished, she put her plate in the sink and turned the water on, figuring it was only fair she do the dishes if he had cooked. How long had it been since she had done something so normal, anyway? With Hallow, they usually ate out or ordered in- the only thing either witch cooked was spells and potions. Holly wasn’t entirely sure Hallow could make anything edible. It had never come up before. It didn’t take her long to finish the dishes- all three of them- and she returned to her seat, resting her chin in her hand. Most of her usual good humor had returned, and she stared absently at the flames on the candles- Holly had always been a fairly good fire seer, and it was tempting to peek into the flames and let them show her… No. She would be good, and let things come as they willed.
"I rented a movie for us to watch, I didn't really know what you like but you are all into witchcraft and stuff so I rented The Craft"
Holly smiled. “That’s fine.” She had, of course, seen the Craft, but she wasn’t opposed to watching it again with Hoyt. She wasn’t really opposed to doing anything with Hoyt. “Should I go get it started while you finish up?”
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Post by Hoyt Fortenberry on Jul 28, 2011 8:36:50 GMT -7
By the time Holly had finished the three dishes, Hoyt was already done his meal save for one last bite. He watched her as she returned to the table, a certain glow to his face. He loved just being in the same room as her, as he often found whenever she was in the room she was the only thing he could really focus on. There was just something about her that he hadn't seen in anyone else, nor did he ever want too.
“Should I go get it started while you finish up?”
"Already done"
He took one last bite as he spoke, and got up to put his dish in the sink. It felt odd just leaving it there now when the sink was empty so he quickly washed it and stuck it on the rack. He wiped his hands off the dish towel and walked over to her - bending down slightly and easing out his arm for her to take.
"Shall we?"
Since his first official 'date' with Holly, Hoyt had been more careful when he touched her. He wanted Holly to be comfortable around him, so he took extra care when he wanted to touch her. Always made sure to respect her personal space and never force her to do something she didn't want to do. He could wait as long as she needed, he wasn't lying when he told that a few weeks ago.
Didn't mean he didn't want to touch her. He wanted to do a lot of things with Holly, but he would only cross that "line" when she showed him it was okay. She hadn't yet, but that just fine with Hoyt. He led her to the couch and went to put the movie in, taking his seat beside her as the movie began to play.
He enjoyed times like these.
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Post by Holly Cleary on Jul 28, 2011 10:01:36 GMT -7
Holly smiled self-consciously when she caught him looking at her, and she tilted her head just slightly. “Something wrong?”
”Already done.”
She nodded, waiting as he washed his plate and returned to her side. He offered her his arm, and she glanced up at him as he asked her if they should go into the living room. After a moment, she nodded, looping her own arm with his- the first voluntary contact Holly had dared to make with him. She wasn’t oblivious to Hoyt’s feelings toward her- and definitely not oblivious to her own- but it still took a lot out of her. She didn’t want to give him the impression she could offer more than she could give- it wasn’t fair to either of them.
As he started the movie, Holly made herself comfortable on the couch and smiled when he sat next to her. The more time she spent with Hoyt, the more comfortable she felt around him. She wasn’t sure that she would ever be able to fully trust him- which wasn’t his fault, but effected him nonetheless- but she knew that he wasn’t likely to hurt her. It made her bold enough, however, to lean against him halfway through the movie, her head on his shoulder. When it was over, she didn’t exactly feel inclined to move… but she knew that she should, so she sat up and ran a hand through her dark hair, pushing it out of her face as she watched him.
Many times in her life, Holly had convinced herself that she was in love with something or someone, and maybe she had been… for five minutes or so. But none of it quite compared to what she had been feeling for Hoyt, lately. She was attracted to him, that much was easy to tell, though she couldn’t- or wouldn’t- act on it; but she also felt a level of calmness with him that she had never achieved with anyone else. Hoyt made her feel at ease, like for five minutes, maybe the world wasn’t such a bad, scary place.
She just wished she could show him what she felt.
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Post by Hoyt Fortenberry on Jul 28, 2011 10:22:14 GMT -7
It had been so rare for Holly to show him physical affection that Hoyt noticed everything. Every subtle touch, even if it was just her knee brushing against his own. It made his flesh warm and his heart beat just a little bit faster and her head on his shoulder was no exception. He was disappointed when the movie ended, making him wish he had rented the four hour movie Titanic rather than the Craft. Or maybe it was a six hour movie? All he remembered was that it was on two vhs's.
She didn't speak during the movie, nor did she speak after the credits rolled. Hoyt was a bit concerned and as he turned off the television he turned toward her. "Is everything alright, Hols?"
Damn, he could kiss her right now. She looked so soft and almost fragile as she sat there and brushed her hair behind her ear. He didn't want her to leave, but he had only rented one movie and the only other one he had was Interview with the Vampire. He didn't really think Holly would be interested in watching that with him.
"Should I make us a snack or something? You seemed a bit trouble..."
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Post by Holly Cleary on Jul 29, 2011 10:06:53 GMT -7
"Is everything alright, Hols?"
Holly blinked, then gave him a small smile. “Yes, I’m fine.” And she was, that much was certain. Even if she couldn’t convince herself to act on her feelings, she was at least here, spending time with Hoyt. That was a large improvement for her, and she was more than willing to take it.
"Should I make us a snack or something? You seemed a bit trouble..."
She shook her head. “Can we just sit here for a minute?” She wanted to try to build up the courage to say what she needed to, but it had been a battle she had been fighting for a while. Was she likely to succeed today? No, but she was trying, and that was more than she had ever thought herself capable of. As she sat there, she rested her head against his shoulder again, marveling about how peaceful it was- had none of the things with David had happened, Holly would have already thrown herself out there- after all, it wasn’t like Hoyt didn’t feel that way about her, he had made that apparent quite a few times.
“Hoyt?” She asked suddenly, raising her head enough to look at him. “I… I want to try this.” One never got anywhere by being quiet and holding everything in, or so Holly had always believed. It was time to put herself out there once again. “I want to try… us.”
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Post by Hoyt Fortenberry on Jul 29, 2011 21:54:57 GMT -7
“Can we just sit here for a minute?”
"Of course, I am in no hurry to go anywhere"
Hoyt was a little surprised, but it was a pleasant one. It felt like she was really getting comfortable around him, as her head rested against his shoulder. He felt a moment of tranquility, something he had never quite felt with any other girl he had been with. He wouldn't even call Holly a girl, rather a woman - he never knew anybody quite like her.
“Hoyt?”
He looked down at her, his blue eyes reflecting complete curiosity.
"Yes?"
“I… I want to try this.”
"This?"
He was completely confused...
“I want to try… us.”
He paused for a moment, a smile forming on his face when his fingers lightly grasped her chin to guide her face toward his. Softly he had pressed his lips to hers, kissing her tenderly - he had hoped that she had found his answer.
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