antebellum [t. riddle]

xlvi.

31 december 1944
translations in comments

riddle had never gotten around to an apology; sicaria hadn't spoken to him for the following three days. 

she didn't even make eye contact, actually. they were back to the same routine as before. she would come out of her room and collect her mail, see that he was still alive, and then shut herself away.

there had been a tense sort of peace between the two of them since her confession. they hadn't spoken at all the following days and rarely remained in each other's presence, punctuated by sicaria's comings and going's. she still closed the door behind her, but her anger at him was much more passive than it had been in the previous days. she wasn't outwardly aggressive; just nothing. 

blank.

the silence was grating on riddle's nerves, instigated by the fact that sicaria seemed perfectly content with it. she made no move to speak to him. he only then realized that it was because she had known what he had done; intentionally riling her. he'd apologize when the silent treatment was over, but he would not chase her if she wished to continue with the childish games.

he had refrained from being outwardly hostile to her. that lasted until new year's eve.

"it is your birthday," she said, suddenly.

finally.

"it is." he responded. tom did not care about celebrating getting closer to death.

"happy birthday."

"thanks." he said blankly, still not looking at her. he hadn't removed his eyes from the two books she'd gifted him, and the paper he was using to make notes. 

"i didn't know it was today. i didn't get you anything."

he waved dismissively, not really seeming to care.

it was only the annoyance with his rude dismissal of her that prompted her next sentence. "do you want to do something?"

he looked up from the book at her, as she finally said something that deserved his attention. the deluded tradition of giving gifts on birthdays had somehow slipped his mind, and now he realized the possibility that he could get something out of this day. "like what?"

she shrugged, faking nonchalance as she realized she finally caught his notice. now, she just had to figure out how to keep it. "it's a large city, there's plenty to see. have you ever been to new york?"

she fumed internally, knowing this would happen. she knew that the moment he'd found out what she needed from her, he'd lose all interest he had in her. it was an odd sensation, to feel sad over a boy, but she hoped she hid it well. she made no attempts to break the silence before today, using his birthday as an excuse.

it wasn't as though she needed riddle's attention; she was far too independent for that. it just stung to feel so discarded and be so easily dismissed, especially after sharing the biggest secret of her life with him. 

it hurt much more than she cared to admit, but it was confusing. she couldn't tell if this was real or not, or if there was some ulterior motive to how he was treating her. the sudden flip of his persona was a bit suspicious; he had always been an asshole, but never had it been so unprovoked.

"i've read about it, but i've only ever seen europe and asia."

"anything you want to see here?"

he shrugged, turning back to his-her book. "surprise me."

she wondered why she was jumping through so many hoops for him, seeing as he was determined not to even meet her eye. he was being difficult and it was maddening her. "fine. muggle or magical?"