Non-Canon One Shots for In the Shadow of Our Choices

Shades of Anger

In Chapter 93 of my longer work "In the Shadow of Our Choices," the characters are enjoying an evening out. Despite Aria Blackwell (OC, not MC) essentially going on a date with Andrew Larson earlier in the day, she slips out with someone else. But what if Andrew had been paying closer attention?

Contains something between mild spice and smut... also contains spoilers/alludes to events in the longer work.

If y'all will recall, this was while they were in Isvik (a town in Norway which was made up for the longer work). For any not familiar, Aria graduated Hogwarts the previous year and now works there as a library aide. Friends with the MC, Sebastian, and Ominis, she and Andrew got dragged along on this trip. She and Andrew have been dancing around each other for a while, neither admitting anything.

This does not contain explicit *sex* but does use explicit terms. This is, of course, non-canon

CONTENT WARNING: Choking

Andrew

Andrew had been out of his drink for about five minutes now. He was watching Sebastian's mug next to him, seeing it grow ever closer to the bottom as he discussed blood magic with Mihkel. Sebastian had arrived with the Malfoy girl, separate from Ominis and Elizabeth, and none of them had said a word about how it'd gone with Gregorovitch. So when Sebastian excused himself to get another drink, Andrew stood as well. Sebastian raised an eyebrow in question.

"I wanted another drink as well," Andrew said with a shrug as they started towards the bar. "And, well, I was curious how it went with that Gregorovitch bloke today. Any luck?"

Sebastian grimaced as they waited for some tipsy witches to pass.

"It didn't go great," he said, "He seemed interested in the Galdric book, but he, er, kind of kicked us out."

Seeing the worry on Sebastian's face, Andrew felt a pang of sympathy.

"I'm sure he'll come around," Andrew said, clapping him on the back. "We've got all week to try again, and if he still won't help, maybe I... maybe I can see if my father has any ideas."

Sebastian flinched slightly at the mention of his father, and Andrew winced, remembering it was his fault for putting his father on Sebastian's tail. Sebastian seemed to sink deep into thought after that, only coming around once they'd reached the bar. The bartender grinned at them, and Andrew was struck by his flaming red hair and bright green eyes.

"What can I get for you?" The man asked in Norwegian.

"Hello," Andrew replied in kind. "My friend doesn't speak Norwegian. Do you know English?"

"Ah, are you English?" The man said, switching with surprising ease. "What can I get for you? I do have a lovely strawberry wine, or perhaps elderberry?"

"I think we'll have some mulled wine?" Andrew said, glancing to Sebastian.

When Sebastian nodded, Andrew pulled out some coins to pay. The bartender bustled off, and as Andrew tucked his change back into his wallet, a man sitting nearby leaned in.

"Are you with that lot in the back?" The man asked in Norwegian, glancing over at the corner where Sebastian and Andrew had been sitting. "The pretty girl with the black hair, is she with anyone?"

Andrew stiffened, glaring at the man. The guy was about their age, perhaps another Durmstrang student home for the holidays. Mousey brown hair, and Andrew supposed some might consider him passably attractive. Shooting a look back at their table, sure enough, Aria's long hair was the only black of the group. He felt a surge of... irritation, perhaps, wash over him.