Once on Instagram III

Where Bluebirds Fly (Part Three)

June 20, 2018

"Do you like it?" Nic asked even though he didn't really have to. The grin on Avery's face gave away her feelings.

She nodded. "I love it! And... thanks again to talking Dad into this. I know he's trying his best to accept me when he can't understand exactly what it is that I'm going through, but I could tell he wasn't too keen on the idea of a binder."

"No problem. And Dad'll come around eventually. I know he loves you no matter what gender you are. ...Have you thought anymore about pronouns?" Avery sort of shrugged and sat down on the couch. Nic sat next to her. "It's cool if you're still not sure. I just don't want to refer to you as 'she' if you'd prefer something else."

"Can you start using they instead?" Avery asked in a quiet voice.

"Of course."

"I know it's going to take some getting used to, so don't worry if you slip up. And thanks, for everything."

Nic smiled at his twin. "You're welcome."

The two sat in silence for several minutes, with Avery resting their head on Nic's shoulder. Avery wasn't sure how long it had been before Nic spoke up again, "Avery?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I'm gay."

"Okay. I love you and support you no matter what."

"Right back at you."

~

It was late when Tinker Bell and Dorothy returned from Neverland with Tiger Lily. Tinker Bell drove to the hospital while Dorothy called Regina to share the good news. Regina was already at the hospital by the time the other three arrived.

"What's going on?" Grace asked when Regina entered the room.

"We found someone who might be able to restore Ella's memories," Regina responded.

"Really?!" Both Grace and Ella's expressions lit up at that.

Regina nodded. Though she was worried this wouldn't work, she couldn't help but smile as well. "Her name is Tiger Lily - yes, like the Tiger Lily from Peter Pan - and she knows about dark fairy magic. But she needs to be alone to work."

"Can we trust her?" Grace asked hesitantly.

"Tinker Bell trusts her, and I trust Tinker Bell," Regina responded. "Ella, are you okay with this? I don't want to do anything without your consent."

Ella looked scared, but she nodded anyways. "Y-Yeah. I want my memories back."

~

Tiger Lily held Tinker Bell's wand in her hand. "I'm going to need you to close your eyes," she told Ella. Ella obliged. "Okay, now, think about someone you met during the time you've forgotten. Perhaps the blonde girl who was in here when I arrived."

"Got it." Ella turned all of her thoughts over to Grace. Grace had said she and Ella were close friends before Ella's memories were erased. Ella knew she probably wasn't making that up because why else would Grace have a picture of them set to show up every time she turned her phone on?

"She really likes you, doesn't she?" Tiger Lily asked as she began the spell. She needed to make sure Ella's focus stayed on Grace, and asking questions about her was generally the best way to assure that.

"I-- Yeah, I guess. She's a really great friend."

"Just a friend?"

"Yeah." Ella was getting the vibe that Tiger Lily thought Grace wanted Ella to be more than a friend, but that couldn't possibly be right. Not to mention, the idea of having a girlfriend kind of terrified Ella. That sort of thing wasn't exactly looked highly upon in the realm she had come from. Ella forced her thoughts back to Grace. She wasn't supposed to be thinking about her past right now, she was supposed to be thinking about her friend.