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The Raven and the Rose. (Ravenofpoe X Joyfulnoise)

Rose raised an eyebrow when the man offered to start coming over to help fix things for her. She was cautiously optimistic that doing so could help her show him that not only did she need him back in her life, but she wanted him for him. The woman had guessed there were some demons haunting him, and she wanted desperately to help quiet them.

She also knew this was the only way he would accept her offer of food. “Deal. I’ll make a list of things that I simply can’t do and I’ll cook for you. I don’t mind cooking every day you know. I mean, I’m already doing it for myself.” She didn’t know if he meant to eat with her or not, and was prepared to offer food to go if that meant she could make sure he was eating properly. Rose remembered her mama telling her that the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach, but wasn’t sure if that really applied to Lucian.

The woman moved out of the way for him to wash the glass, not wanting him to get upset about her being close to him. When he crossed his arms, she frowned slightly thinking it was another wall he was putting up to separate them. She still didn’t fully understand why he was putting these walls up, but she was determined to bring every one of them down. Instead of bringing that subject up with him, she simply nodded. “Sure. I’ll get a list for you by the end of the day.”
 
“Thank you again for breakfast. I am going to pack my things and head home. You make the list I will work on it in my free time.” He smiled and stepped back outside. Leaning against the wall he fought the wave of anxiety. This was hard for him. He still had feelings for her but at the same time he was not worthy of her. He was happy in the loneliness. There was healing in the lonely. He had been with others but he sabotaged everything. He was so afraid of being himself that he kept the walls up.

Picking the ladder up he fought to no look in her windows. Going home he put everything away and paid bills. He had meeting with the repair people about his own roof over the phone and scheduled a home visit with the V.A. He could go into the city but because he was paying out of pocket, he could get away with some things that others couldn’t. Falling into the swing he hummed to his music and soon drifted off to sleep.

The nap was not restful. He was in the library. His library. His memory palace that he modeled after a library made things better most of the time. There was darkness poring from the military section. He fished for the light and it clicked on but had no effect on the darkness. He proceeded with caution into it. His heart raced. His soul burned with regret as he walked. He awoke as he approached the source the only noise was that of a child’s scream. Sitting up sweat pouring off him he caught his breath and tossed the paperback he had been reading away.
 
Rose nodded and hugged herself as he said he was leaving. “Thank you again, Lucian. I’ll swing by and bring you that list later.” She smiled back at Lucian and waved him off. The woman turned and leaned over the sink, trying to calm herself after he walked out. There was no denying that she still loved him, and she even admitted as much to him. Rose was determined now to help him see that he probably still loved her, too. She watched in the window as he left before heading back upstairs to shower.

While she showered, the woman lost herself in thoughts and memories of what had been between the two and what could have been if he hadn’t been so prideful and left her. She remembered a time when he seemed to love the way she challenged him and put him in his place from time to time. Now, it seemed nothing phased him and wondered what happened between the time he left to the time he came back. After a while, she left her memories and realized her skin had turned bright pink from staying under the scalding hot water too long.

Rose got out and dried off, changing into a basic blue v-neck shirt and blue jean short before sitting on her bed with a notebook and pencil. Sitting there, she began thinking about things that needed done like finally replacing the pipes under the kitchen sink, fixing holes in the floors and other mending things. She also made a note to grab some paint to start remodeling the house; the idea of getting things fixed and patched up at the cost of materials and cooking meals for the love of her life inspired her to finally start doing other things to bring the old house back to life. After finishing her list, writing in her girly print, she thought she should take the list over. However, she almost felt afraid to go over; the last time she did blew up in her face and the two were almost awkward around each other. That alone told her that he still cared but wanted to keep her at arm’s length for only God knew why. Sighing, she tugged some socks and sneakers onto her feet, tied her hair up in a ponytail, threw on a baseball cap and walked across the street with the paper.
 
Leaving the book Lucian went inside the house. Once there he set to work on a personal project. HE hummed along to the music he kicked on and went down the first-floor hall. In one of the spare bedrooms he had put an antique table and across it was scattered books some written in foreign scripts. In the center were the plans for the library. Lucian walked across to the empty room that had once been two. It was an office that the dividing wall had been knocked out of and now lining the wall were shelves. Grabbing the tool belt from a chair he began to work finishing the shelves. Knocking worked wood into place he kept focus on the work. It was keeping him sane.

His mind drifted to Rosie as a song cued up. A love ballad that was better than the original. There in his room he was building a library. A memory library for real memories. Always been good with projects like this he worked. His doctor wanted him to stay busy. He wanted to stay busy so he did. His doctor also told him to stop going to the great lengths he was going to distance himself from everyone. He had yelled at friends and his hand throbbed from the glass incident last night has he knocked another shelf in place. He had to keep his eyes on the goal of just finding happiness again. Even if it was in this little act of control.
 
Rose walked up to the porch and noticed a book and picked it up; she had remembered both of them to be avid readers, and assumed he had kept up the habit. While they generally liked different genres, she cherished the times that they would sit curled up with a book in mutual silence. Just Lucian’s presence had always been calming to the woman: she felt cherished, protected, and most importantly, loved. Sighing at the memory that was fading away in her mind, she walked up to the door and knocked.

Like the last time, no one came to the door. “Seriously?” she mumbled before trying again. Once upon a time, she had never knocked and it almost struck her as ironic that she was having to do so now. After several minutes, Rose thought of just leaving the list with the book on the porch swing for him to find later, but thought that would be the coward’s way of doing it. No, she needed to be more present in her love’s life to show him what he’d been missing all of these years. She tried the door, and it easily pushed open. Immediately, she heard the music and mused that there was no wonder he didn’t come to the door. She smiled at the song: it was one she knew well, and wondered if he had chosen this particular song with these lyrics on purpose.

Wandering the hall with both book and list in hand, she followed the sound of pounding until she came to what used to be a bedroom and an office but was now one huge room. Rose found him with his back turned to her, working on a bookshelf. He had always been good with his hands and she loved watching him. She leaned against the door frame for a few minutes, just marveling at the sight. Tears threatened to fill her eyes as she stood there, the words to the song washing over her, and thanking her lucky stars that she was even getting to see him again. Pushing herself off of the frame, she knocked on the frame before going to him, lightly placing a hand on his back in case he hadn’t heard her come in.
 
He heard the knock when it was at his back. Lucian dropped the tool belt to the chair and turned on his heel.not ready for another fight sh he was happy when she looked like the fight had passed for now. He didnt speak looking her over he caught a glimpse of the book. He had developed a keen reading habit. He sought new books out in thrift stores and bargain bons. Not that he didn't buy new. It was just rare to buy a new book. Ot was far easier to pick the trade paperback up then buy a hard cover when he wanted it.

This weeks genre was horror. And it had proven to not be the best choice. King was creepy when he was not on the emotional Rollercoaster. Now reading g about shape shifting creatures that took your face and identity was something that could be put down. Gesturing to the shelf he said,"thank you. I was going to put it back on the shelf i swear." He smiled and squatted on his haunches. "Though I think i can wait a month to see how it ends."
 
Rose was relieved that he didn’t seem very upset that she was there, but smiled sheepishly all the same. “Sorry for barging in unannounced. I knocked but no answered and the door was open..” Lucian seemed more himself here, and she didn’t want to do anything to sway his mood. She handed the book to him and chuckled when he mentioned he was going to put it back on the shelf. “Well I’m just helping you do it sooner. I was bringing the list by and saw it so I thought I’d bring it in with me.”

She looked around the room in awe. “You’re changing things..but it’s great. This room..will this be a library of sorts?” She walked to a shelf and ran her hand on it lightly before turning back to him, beaming. “You’re very talented, Lucian. I would love to have the skills and ability you do to restore my home like you’re doing here.” She walked over to where he was squatting and sat down beside him. “I also really like this song. You always did have great taste in music.” She nudged him slightly with her shoulder and smiled. “I’ve missed my best friend, you know.” He had been her best friend, and wondered if bringing up being friends could be the start to building the bridge between them again.
 
“It is appreciated.” He took her list and looked it over. Nothing he could not handle per say. He smiled and folded the paper putting it in his pocket. At the remark of him changing things he nodded. “Dad put the wrap around porch grandad put the basement additions. “My contribution is the lay out. And library was fitting.” His family going back to the first Ravencroft in the States, had a tradition that each generation would add onto the house. A scheme that increased the value considerable amounts when he had to buy it back. What started out as a Victorian styled farm house grew out ward engulfed by the desire to outdo the last family addition. HE had not gone to see if the hidden stash of his great great grandfathers’ effects were still in the basement. He meant to take them with him for luck but ran out instead taking only a bag and the little bit of money he had. “Meatloaf at his best pumping out those ballads. I actually caught a concert a few years ago when he was touring in England. Happy he didn’t go the way other good rockers went.” He gestured to the shelves and putting the paperback on the drafting table where his makeshift plans were he said, “It is not as good as the porch or the basement but it is a reflection of me.”
 
Rose nodded and walked around, tracing her fingers over the shelving. “I remember your dad talking about putting the porch up. It was always one of my favorite parts of this house.” She thought, however, that the library was even better; it suited Lucian. She stopped and turned to him, listening to him speak about Meatloaf. “Really? I don’t even remember the last concert I went to. Maybe in high school?” She then walked to the table where the plans were, looking down at them smiling. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in what he was doing. She could picture a few comfortable chairs or even a couch to curl up with a book and read. “Will there be a fireplace, or just the library? I can imagine this room would be a perfect sanctuary on cold winter days.” She blushed and gave him a sheepish grin. “Sorry..I didn’t mean to pry and be nosy. This room is perfect and is just as good as the porch.”

She wrapped her arms around herself and looked around before nodding. “Yeah...it’s perfect.” Turning back to him, she smiled. “So what are your plans for dinner? I hadn’t really decided anything yet, but I can cook whatever if you wanted to join me.” Rose walked over to Lucian and looked up at him. “I’m not going to push you to do anything, Lucian, but I’m also not going anywhere.” She searched his eyes, as if trying to figure out what he was thinking at the moment. “I would also like to almost start over. We’re probably different people than we were in high school, and I’d like to get to know you again if you’d let me.”
 
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