sailboatdreamer - Tumblr blog

sailboatdreamer · 1 month

Text

Back to the Night We Met - Ch3

You wake one morning, and enjoy the serenity of the snowfall. You help Angus bond closer with Mary, and a devastating turn to the holiday occurs. Tw: mentions of death/grieving, smoking.

It was three days until Christmas. December 22nd. I’d been up late that morning, with nothing to do i relished in the extra time i got to sleep in.

9:30, my clock said. I groaned to myself. Much too late to have breakfast with the others, though for what it’s worth i got to miss out on Teddy’s usual morning insult parade.

“Whatever you say, church mouse” Is what he’d said when i’d asked him to please stop taking all the toast at breakfast yesterday.

Anyhow, i rolled out of bed in my nightgown, a soft, silk garment that made the scratchy and stiff Barton infirmary beds actually bearable. The others had since disappeared, all except for Ye-Joon, who’d been reading, curled up on his bed across the room.

“Morning…” I wave gently.

“Hello” He said back quite shyly.

“Why aren’t you with the others?” I inquire.

“Oh.. i just felt like some quiet.” I nod understandingly. Ye-Joon, not unlike myself, was quite introverted. I let him know he’s welcome to any pick from my stack of books before i left out into the hall, wandering down to the kitchen, hoping i can scavenge something for breakfast, maybe if i’m lucky there’ll still be some coffee left in the pot.

As i wander into the kitchen, i notice Teddy sitting there, a sour look on his face. I relish in the opportunity to irritate him as i come in.

“something wrong? Why the long face Kountze?”

He sneered at me. “Somebody took my picture.” I can’t help but smirk a little, realising immediately what had happened.

“Oh reaaallly? Wow- who would do that..?” He just grumbled, and didn’t really answer. I tried not to laugh. “I’m sure it’ll turn up.”

I was pleased to find that enough coffee had indeed been left in the pot for me, i took a mug of it, and a warm green sweater outside, hoping to relish in the beautiful view of the soft snowfall.

Outside there was a fair few benches in the courtyard. They provided a view out to the seemingly endless forest, the (now frozen) lake and river, and even the soft, billowing clouds of chimneys from the town over. I saw as my breath turned to cloud in the chilled air, and i decided on the bench underneath a huge stained glass window.

I thought about Mary. As much as we’d all had troubles with our families, there was nobody i had stronger sympathy for than her. I’d found her, a few mornings ago, sitting in the empty auditorium with Curtis’ memorial picture. I had gone in myself to just sit at the back, knowing it was always quiet, i read there sometimes for a change of scenery. When i’d gently pushed open the door (it squeaks if you do it fast) she’d turned to look. We didn’t exchange any words, just a simple, sympathetic look. Curtis would have been 19 this year. He was the year above me and the senior boys, but they’d told me he was so kind to the younger kids. The boys told me he’d applied to service so when he finished he’d be able to go to college because they didn’t have the finances to, it was just him and Mary after all. That day i just sat in the pew with her, some distance apart. I didn’t dare try and talk about it with her, but the least i could give her was my solidarity.

The one time Jason & I were alone in the kitchen, we were talking about it, and he’d recounted a memory he’d had with Curtis, touring the new first-year students on Introduction Day. He told me that Curtis had spent extra time with a first year student who didn’t know any of the other new kids, encouraging them to involve eachother in a group. He spoke so highly of Curtis’ compassion, and kindness. The same kindness i recognised in Mary. It broke my heart for her.

We all like to believe people get what they deserve. But the truth is, they simply don’t. It always seemed to me that good, honest people suffer too much, and those completely undeserving of good things, don’t suffer enough for what they do to others.

I was recalling this somber feeling, looking out over the fresh snow, when i’d heard the door to the courtyard open. I turn hopefully, and to my relief, it was Angus. He, i could see, had already been up for a few hours, and, parallelling my memory of Mary, came to sit by me on the bench without a word. At this point i’d finished my coffee, and placed my mug on the side-table, now just enjoying the serenity.

After a while - “It’s beautiful isn’t it? the snow?” I smiled even hearing his voice. He spoke softly, almost as if not to ruin the peace of the moment.

“It’s lovely. It almost looks like a soft blanket, though that illusion only lasts as long as before you touch it.” He nods with a smile.

“What’re you thinking about out here?” It’s a thoughtful question.

“Mary… and Curtis. Though i never got to meet him, i can see how much it’s hurting her. He seemed like a real golden boy.” He nodded knowingly.

“He was.”

A beat passes in conversation.

“I wish I could help more. But death is one of those things i guess. Nothing anybody can do, but everybody wishes they could.”

As he says so, he lights a cigarette. i look at it thoughtfully, the black smoke providing a stark contrast against the blinding snow.

“I know. It’s just sad. And it’ll be sad forever, but i think- in time you get further away from the hurt, you know? Life must go on.” We start to share the cigarette, exhaling out into the open air.

“Say, Mary does like to smoke though. Maybe we could cheer her up?” I broach the idea carefully, knowing that Mary had a distaste for the boys, not without reason, of course. But still, I wondered if taking Angus with me was the best idea.

“When Hunham fell asleep last night- i” He laughs lightly

“What did you do?”

“He- he’d drank a lot of that brandy, and i might’ve grabbed the ring of keys from his bedside when i knew he definitely was out. I mayyyyyy have done a bit of a tour of the place, and i know for a fact that Principal Endicott has a drawer filled with Marlboros. And lemon sherbets- but that’s less important.” He seems emboldened by sharing this secret with me.

“You- WOW… i can’t believe you did that!” I couldn’t help but giggle.

“I had to, i was indebted to since you brought me back my picture.”

I smile. “Did you take any out?” He smirks and nods back at me, i’m very clearly impressed.

“We should bring Mary some - last time i saw her she told me she’s rationing hers because she won’t be able to get out to town till past Christmas.” He hands me a fully wrapped packet from the pocket of his windbreaker, i turn it over in my hands with a chuckle. “Good find.”

—

When we arrived at Mary’s quarters, i led, and knocked on the door twice. We exchanged a sort of nervous look before it opened.

“Oh! What are you two doing here?” She asks, her Boston accent thick.

“It was actually Angus’ idea, he uh- came across some of these, you mentioned you’d been down on them and you wouldn’t be able to get any more before Christmas?” I pass her the pack. SHe beams at us, though does seem surprised at Angus’ involvement.

“You got these for me?” She points to Angus, he has a bit of a timid look now, far from his usual gruff and annoyed disposition.

“I did.” Mary smiles appreciatively, turning back to me.

“Well, thank you both very much. You know, not many of those boys out there even think twice about me, it means a lot to me that you have.” Her tone is warm and sweet, she reminded me of many women i’d known from home, and it filled me with so much pride to see we’ve made her happy. I admired the way her face dimpled when she smiled, even in such a hard time, she was filled with so much grace. She explained though, that she couldn’t stay and was soon needed in the kitchen to prepare whatever was in the walk-in for this evening. We let her go and start walking back to the infirmary together, sharing another cigarette. Angus was the first to talk.

“D’you think i’m back in her good graces?” He passes it to me, i inhale.

“Absolutely. Well ‘n truly.” I say affirmatively. “Though, i was quite impressed with you, i mean, you were really just sneaking about like that? All night? I mean- how did you kill the time?”

“Well, i figured if i can’t go home, i might as well make the most of my time here. I regretted not waking you up to join me, but i figured you needed the sleep. I started in the library-”

An unfamiliar, and deafening sound interrupted us, it sounded like mad whooshing and whirling, like standing too close to an airplane propeller. As we rounded the corner of the building we saw it. Jason’s dad. And his helicopter we’d been hearing about non-stop.

Angus made quick work of the cigarette, throwing it behind a pot plant quickly as to not get in trouble. The other boys were crowded on the grass around the helicopter already, and we urgently ran up to see what was going on, and with awe Jason told us; “My dad said as long as you guys can get permission from your parents, you’re welcome to come with us out to the Alps! Who can ski?”

I had never even seen a pair of skis in real life, let alone use them. I knew Angus had been itching to get out of Barton, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity, almost too good and too perfect. I did wonder about Mary though, would she feel abandoned if we all got up and left? I couldn’t do that to her.

After all the boys were taking turns phoning their parents, it was Angus’ turn and then mine.

After the third ring i knew we weren’t getting anywhere. The realisation that he’d have to stay at Barton after all absolutely crushed what was left of the joy in his face, and i felt my heart break for him. He couldn’t even get a hold of his own mother, too preoccupied in her own honeymoon to call her only son.

I saw his face start to redden, the embarrassment and shame clear on his expression.

“Hey, hey look…” I try to give him a reassuring pat on his shoulder.

“I’ll stay. I don’t need to go skiing, i don’t even know how…”

My heart swelled at his reaction, his lip trembled as he turned to me

“are you sure? I can’t- i can’t ask you to do that.” I shake my head.

“you don’t have to. I’ll stay. the snow is prettier here anyway.” I try to smile but it comes across as weak. It was his turn to shake his head. I can see in his face all he wanted was the phone to suddenly ring back, so he wouldn’t feel indebted to me, and we’d all be able to go skiing together, but it was too good to be true after all. He pulls me into a tight hug and manages a soft and whispered “Thank you.”

#angus tully #angus tully fic #angus tully x reader #da'vine joy randolph #dominic sessa #mary lamb #paul giamatti #the holdovers #the holdovers fic

16 notes · View notes

sailboatdreamer · 1 month

Text

Back to the Night We Met - Chapter 2

After an awkward first encounter, you try and get back in Angus' good graces.

I had made myself scarce for the next day, only really encountering the others when necessary at mealtimes or right before falling asleep in the cold, dark infirmary.

I hated it. I felt like my initial failings had only managed to continue into the next day, when i could barely make eye contact with the others. I’d learned their names at least. The sour-faced blonde was Teddy Koutnze, and while he didn’t really seem- to me at least- very physically intimidating, he had a way of irritating the rest of us, and when Mary snapped at him over dinner, nobody said a word. Then there was Jason Smith, a mild mannered wealthy son of some business guy, practising civil disobedience by not cutting his hair, and therefore missing out on winter vacation. The two youngest were Alex, a mormon kid who’s parents were away on missionary, and Ye-Joon, a korean kid who couldn’t fly to see his family. Then there was Angus, who i’d regretfully embarrassed myself in front of only the day before. It didn’t bother me so much to run into Teddy as much as it did running into Angus, who’s snarky and annoyed attitude made me feel incredibly nervous. My avoidance of them all (except really for the younger boys) did not go unnoticed.

I was passing time in the expansive library certainly better than the one i’d been used to, when I encountered Mr Hunham doing his rounds.

“Oh! There you are.” He’d said. I gave a shy sort of wave. I was halfway through my copy of Catcher in the Rye when he’d arrived.

“You know, if the young philistines back there (pointing towards the hall) are giving you any trouble, you don’t have to stand for it, i know how utterly undignified some of them may be.” This had made me laugh slightly, only because it couldn’t be further from the reality, and it was the second time i’d been approached with this concern.

“No, no honestly they’ve been…. accomodating” i recall the help i’d gotten from Angus yesterday with a slight wince.

“Sincerely? Well-colour me surprised. I didn’t think they had it in them.” He expressed with a surprised look. I’d of thought Mr Hunham would’ve been a much nastier person, considering the disparaging ways the boys talked about him late at night. He was actually quite kind, and respectful, i’d noticed how much care he paid to Mary especially.

“Yeah, Angus even helped me with my bag yesterday.” I could see his expression turn to a slight shock, followed by a grin.

“Really? i- wow.” He gave me a nod of acknowledgement before turning and leaving, undoubtedly to go back to monitoring the boys, now with the newfound idea that they may not be entirely without saving.

Unsurprisingly, it took a lot to move me from my place in the library’s old leather couch. I’d even found a soft blanket that i’d used to cover myself, somehow avoiding Hunham’s exercise sessions, though his voice echoed through the walls. ”Without exercise the body devours itself!” I’d heard him cheer. It wasn’t until later in the evening, still in the library, trying to finish my copy of Emma, when i’d encounter another student.

He’d waddled in, perhaps not seeing me at first, after all i was pretty quiet. I watched him over the nose of my book, huffing angrily, and slumping down at one of the couches across the library hall. Angus. I didn’t dare approach him, he looked pretty upset already, but just as i was thinking so, he saw me. A silent exchange, i can only imagine i’d looked as startled as he did.

I noticed the small wound on his cheek had been patched up with a small band-aid, and an associated rip in his sweater had been stitched over.

“Have you been in here all day?” His tone is more accusatory than i would’ve hoped. His anger from whatever he’d been putting up with was seeping through.

“I may have… i mean, i went to go see Mary in the morning.”

He just nods with a huff. “And Wall-eye isn’t on your ass?”

I shake my head “I saw him. I let him know you helped me with my bags yesterday, he.. looked surprised.”

He just rolls his eyes, i don’t push it further. I know they all hate Hunham, he’s tough on them, a fan of discipline and ancient philosophy makes for a particularly tough chaperone.

“What’re you reading?” I hear him mumble after a minute.

“Emma. Jane Austen?” I watch as he studies the cover of the book, still seeming a little shaken up. “Right yes… matchmaker.” I nod with a slight smile, he’d read it.

“So… i see you got patched up.” i say, pointing to his bandaid. “yeah… fuckin’ koutnze…”

“What happened?” I press the topic gently, in a way I wanted to know if it was something more serious or just general scuffling between boys.

“I.. had this picture- in my luggage” He sees my expression change to confusion as he mentions luggage, if he was staying over, why had he packed up luggage?

“I wasn’t, actually supposed to be here. My mom decided the only time of the year she gets to see me would be the perfect time for a honeymoon with my new stepdad.”

God, what a shit situation, i think to myself, though i only manage to get out ‘im so sorry…’

He brushes it off with a wave of the hand, “Its me and my parents when i was a kid. Koutnze took it, i know he did, but he refuses to give it back.” He grumbles.

I wonder to myself if i can get it back…. i should. It would mean the exchange between Angus & i would be fair, and hopefully it could help us move on from our awkward first impression.

“What a dick….” I say with a scowl, met by Angus’ own.

“I know right.” I see him pick up my copy of Catcher In the Rye and we read together for another hour until we were called to dinner, and back to the infirmary.

A fair few of the boys were using the showers, and the ones that weren’t were outside, looking for Alex’s lost red mitten. I take this fruitful opportunity to find that picture, hoping it would bring me into Angus’ good graces, and restore a little of his faith back into this holiday.

After a quick and careful scavenge through Teddy Koutnze’s luggage, i find a small compartment, something that had been cut out in the side of his suitcase. A secret pocket of sorts, and low and behold, i reach in, and out comes the picture. It was unmistakeably Angus, though ten years younger, his stark and angular features, and soft brown eyes confirmed it in my mind. I slip the picture into my pocket and leave his things as i’d found them.

I left to find Angus, and just as i’d expected, he was in the midst of comforting poor Alex in the courtyard outside, who’s mitten was found, but had a small tear near the thumb. I approach them both. “look, it’s okay, Mary’s probably got some thread, i’m sure she’d be happy to fix it.” He says in a soft tone, patting the young kid on the back.

“Hey, do you mind if we talk for a minute?” I say quietly, meeting his gaze. To this he reassures Alex, and gets up, following me a few paces over.

I take the small, polaroid-like picture out of my pocket and hand it to him, watching his expression light up.

“You actually- you found it! How… where?” I was glad to finally see Angus happy for the first time since i’d arrived. “Some secret pocket in his suitcase… fucker is sneaky”.

“Thank you… really thank you.” He says sincerely, tucking the pocket inside his winter jacket. I shrug it off but internally i’m beaming “Of course.”

#angus tully fic #angus tully x reader #angus tully #the holdovers fic #the holdovers #paul giamatti #mr hunham #mary lamb #da'vine joy randolph #dominic sessa

77 notes · View notes

sailboatdreamer · 1 month

Text

Back to the Night We Met

Hello! I'm Arcadia (she/her) and this is my first fic <3 i loved the holdovers so much it actually drove me to writing especially because of the lack of Angus fics rn :) Ill definitely continue it if people are interested, i have a pretty good idea of where to take it, this is just setup.

-You are a female student from a sister school who has to board over at Barton for the holidays, Mary comes to pick you up, and you have a first impression of all the boys- 859 words - slight blood mention.-

Angus reminded me of many men i had known, in various ways, throughout my life. Cold at first, brash, defensive- but equally in need of a love that was not easily accessible.

The first time i had ever met Angus, it was Christmas of 1970. The corresponding sister-school to Barton, Ada’s School for Girls, had just let out all the girls for winter break, except of course myself, who was doomed to two weeks of almost complete solitude. My only recompense being the books in the library, and my carefully hidden ration of cigarettes given to me by a friend as a Christmas gift.

I’d assumed that my stay at Ada would be chaperoned by one of the sisters from the convent, as they lived on campus and were usually the go-to call for holdover students, however when it came time to say goodbye, an unfamiliar face was awaiting me outside the aching, old oak doors.

“Hello young lady, I believe you’re staying with us this time.” Boston accent.

A beautiful woman, with a soft spoken voice, stood up against a powder-blue Impala, cigarette between her fingers. I came to learn that this lady was Mary Lamb. She was a cook from Barton, who’d elected to stay over the holidays due to the untimely and tragic death of her young boy, Curtis, a student. In her words, she felt going home would’ve abandoned his memory during this time that meant so much to both of them. As she drove me to Barton she explained i’d be staying with the other male holdovers due to ‘administrative difficulties’ whatever that meant

Quickly sensing my discomfort with this idea she said “Listen, you let me know if those little shitheads give you a hard time okay? My quarters are just past the dorms, near the garden.” i nodded appreciatively, smiling at her choice of language. It was surprising to hear it from such a demure lady, but Mary’s streak of subtle rebellion ultimately made her one of my favourite people i ever got to know through my school years.

When we arrived to Barton, Mary directed me towards the infirmary, as it was the last room in the entire building that had any heating, as i approached the door there was a clear noise of a scuffle going on inside. I gently pressed the door open, beat-up suitcase in my hand, glasses pushed to my nose. Two of the older boys were hitting each-other wildly, although it really seemed more girlish than i assumed boys fought. The minute they saw me, they got up and hastily tried to straighten out their shirts.

“Who are you!? The fuck-a girl?” A blonde boy, blue eyes, very irritating.

A rally of small, meek, lower-year boys stood around the room, just watching. The other boy who i’d seen flinging punches on the blonde was seething, he had a little blood running down his cheek, and he didn’t really acknowledge me, he seemed too focused on whatever his next chance was to knock the blonde’s lights out.

“Hello…..” i wave shyly, putting my suitcase by a free bed.

”hi, hello,- um-hi” the room grumbles back at me.

The air in the room is thick, and tense. Worried, nervous glances are passed between myself and the rest of the room for what feels like endless minutes before someone breaks the silence. “Do…. do you need help with your bags.” a nervous mutter from the boy who’d previously not acknowledged my arrival. And i actually did. Some of my books i insisted on bringing, assuming i’d have a boring two weeks had been a weight on my luggage. “Yeah… yeah i’d appreciate that. Thank you.” He follows me out, leaving the other boys to debrief among themselves. As we wander down the long, aging halls, and the noise of the infirmary grows quieter, i try to break the tension. “so….I’m (y/n).. i go to Ada,and uh- our nuns, shacked up for the winter apparently so that’s why i’m here. I met Mary, she’s… she’s really sweet” As i speak he nods gently, listening before speaking. “I’m Angus. And that (he points back at the infirmary) was Teddy Koutnze. Resident dickhead. The other kids i don’t know so well, they’re first years but-… they’re not too bad.” It was my turn to listen this time, as we walk i study the features on his face. Strong, angular features and deep, brown eyes, nearly carvaggian. He helps me with my other bags, opting to take the heavier one for me kindly, but as he’s picking it up, i again notice the blood on the side of his face. Without a second thought, i reach out to touch it, as i would’ve for any of the girls back at Ada. “You’re bleeding….”

His hand immediately rushes to his cheek, and i notice as his cheeks flush red, i recognise my mistake and apologize hurriedly “Oh-sorry, i-uh…” i try to brush off the blood on my skirt, and i we struggle to meet eyes “its… its okay” He grumbles, not meeting my eyes, we both walk back awkwardly, i know my face is flushed and i internally curse myself for doing something so careless. We share in the silence and a little smeared blood on our fingertips.

#angus tully x reader #the holdovers #da'vine joy randolph #dominic sessa #the holdovers fic #mary lamb #Angus Tully #paul giamatti #alexander payne #Angus Tully Fic

82 notes · View notes