A/N: Finally a Never After Fanfic!! Everyone get y'alls juice! I posted this on ao3 too!
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At Hortense's suggestion, the group stops at Rosewood Manor to pick up a few things for their journey to Snow Country.
"Found them!" Gretel gleefully calls, brandishing jackets and scarves, distributing them to her friends. Alistair immediately loops a long striped scarf around his neck. "Oh, Alistair, try that one."
"What's this?" He holds up a dark parka with fur. It's in good condition, with pockets lined on the outside. Judging from the quality, it was purchased from somewhere on Earth.
"Hansel's old parka from when we were eight years old," she grins.
"Huh, well it still fits..." he whips his head up. "How dare you! I am not that short!"
"I never said anything about that."
"I can see it in your face!"
While Jack holds Alistair back from chasing Gretel around, Filomena busies herself with trying on the trench coat Gretel gave her. It's a warm creme color made of cashmere wool, hugging her knees. The buttons are black and–Oh!–hidden pockets inside the lining. She also tries a pair of boots Gretel brought out in case the trek would get rough. In giddy delight, Filomena spins. The coat is the prettiest thing she's ever worn, though it's second only to the hanbok she wore at Chuseok a few years ago. It reminds her of the winter catalogues her Mum stacked on the counter occasionally, something so glamorous they would never look good on her.
"Oh, Filomena, you look adorable!" Gretel gushes while holding Alistair in a headlock. Filomena fails to hide her laughter at the sight of her friend smiling widely as the other boy fights in her grip, squirming inside the well-fitted parka.
"Not really," Filomena doesn't really know what to do with the compliment. "But thank you."
Somehow, she catches Jack looking at her and her cheeks warm. Suddenly she remembers Beatrice's words about how Jack said she was really smart and pretty and her blush deepens. Filomena shoots him a shy smile, pretending the stare doesn't mean anything.
"This is pretty comfy, y'know?" she moves to make the coat swish. "And look, hidden pockets inside!"
For a brief moment, Jack just stares at her. Then he shakes himself awake, a faint red tinge forming on his face. He clears his throat, "That's nice." His tone goes soft and his smile is fond. "You look nice."
Filomena almost falls faint. On cue, Gretel releases Alistair, who lets out a loud yell, crashing on the floor. The spell is broken immediately.
"Alright," Jack claps, back to his usual serious self. "Pack all your things, we don't have time to waste. We'll need all the energy we have to reach Northphalia by evening."
"And for my hair to lose all its moisture," Gretel sighs, running a hand through her dyed blonde head. Her eyes light up. "Wait, I've got just the thing!"
Aware that everyone has her attention, Gretel continues, "Let's go to the garden!"
"The... garden?" Jack raises his eyebrow.
"Why wouldn't a place like Rosewood not have a garden?" She slings an arm around Jack. "Come on, I'll show you something, it's important to the mission, I promise."
Jack doesn't argue and the group troops to the other side of the mansion. They reach a set of tall doors which Gretel pushes. A floral scent hits Filomena's nose, and she steps out onto a stone path.
"Wow!"
Shrubs dot the landscape of trimmed grass, each containing bright bursts of color. Small trees poke around along with topiaries forming circular shapes. A grove grows camellia and gingko trees, stone benches and a pond sheltered under them.
