End of Sallow

These words are knives and often leave scars

Theo's mind was a mess. He'd started on paper, not wanting to put it on a canvas until he knew he had it perfect. And he didn't. He could not get that fucking color of her eyes, when she'd drank her apple juice.

He'd painted Levi's eyes easily. Happy or upset, he knew which colors blended the best to create every emotion that Levi ever had on his face, but Charlie Sallow's eyes were somehow lost on him.

The room smelled of smoke as he casted 'incendio' on each scrap of parchment he fucked up. Sitting crossed legged on his bed, listening to the strokes of the brush and Levi's occasional snore.

He was exhausted. He hadn't slept in over twenty-four hours now, but if he was going to be back under Podex, he supposed he'd have to get used to that.

He sighed as another paper went up in flames. He looked down at his hands and noticed they were covered in paint and did his best to clean them with his wand, without getting water everywhere. He cleaned his brushes and put them away before blowing out a breath.

Grace would be returning soon. Even though he'd been hurt to learn she'd kept the knowledge of her father from him, he was still excited to see her. Being away from her was like being away from Alec. More of a curse than a blessing. He could be himself with Grace, she knew who he was.. to a point.

He could at least relax around her, more so than anyone else besides Levi.

He groaned quietly as he got off the bed, his back aching from having been hunched over painting in the bed. Maybe a quick walk before he tried to sleep. Get the ache out before he laid down.

He stepped out, silently closing the door behind him and glanced up.

The familiar blond Malfoy was walking past him, his hair a mess... Well messier than it's normal trained mess, his eyes slightly swollen from sleep. He offered an amused grin as he passed and Theo quickly made sure his shields were in place. He was pretty sure the boy was a legilimens. Ever since third year, when the boy tried to enter his mind. He'd felt the press against his ancient magic and had turned his head to find Malfoy's eyes widened and face pale, shocked that he'd been caught. If it hadn't been for that look of guilt, Theo wouldn't have been able to truly decipher who had tried to enter his mind.

The biggest question was why he'd even tried? He'd never spoken to the boy, and he hadn't known his brothers well either. Theo moved towards the common room, keeping silent and wincing with Malfoy closed his door... Rather loudly.

He shook his head and stretched his arms above his head as he entered the common room. Where Charlie Sallow now sat, on the couch in front of the fireplace, her head bent over the book in her lap. Reading at this hour? He frowned and began to walk towards her, before remembering the last thing she'd seen of him, but before he could stop himself, his body had already casted a shadow over her, causing her to sigh, annoyed. She looked up at him, her expression aloof. So bored, he wondered if his façade were that strong.

But was it a façade when she did it?

"Oh good, you have clothes on."

Her fucking attitude. Even if her expression was aloof, the bite in her words was enough to let him know how she felt about him. He swallowed his annoyance, and the need to put her in her place and instead spoke. "I'm sorry abou-"

"It's your business, I don't care." She was waving her hand dismissively, and his eyes narrowed on the movement. "No need to apologize." She finished.

Breathe, Hawke.

He tried again. "I'd still like to apologize."

"Forgiven. Go away."

He glared. He couldn't help it. She was pissing him off. Why was she so cavalier about it? Was she going to hold it over his head later? Try to use it to get him in trouble? What was her angle?