om_main | Betsy and Brian (Backdated to April 15)

The Braddocks go home for their birthday, this time without an entourage.

Nineteen wasn't as eventful a birthday as eighteen had been, and Betsy was glad that her twin had agreed to spend the time at home with their family. So much had changed over the last year, much of it for the better, although some of the recent developments were casting a shadow over Betsy's mood. This was their first trip, just the two of them, and she was extremely grateful that no significant others were on the continent with them.

As she had when they were much, much younger, Betsy slipped into Brian's room before midnight and snuggled with him as they waited for the night to end. A clock in one of the lower halls chimed the midnight hour and Betsy smiled, pressing her cheek against Brian's shoulder as she hugged him.

"Happy birthday, Brian. We made it."

He squeezed her, gently, with the arm he'd wrapped about her and kissed the top of her head. "Happy Birthday, Elizabeth."

"You think Mum and Dad finally got you that pony you asked for when you were six?" she teased. Ponies had always been too miniature for their parents to consider practical presents.

Brian chuckled softly. "I sincerely hope not," he responded, "for the pony's sake. Do you imagine you shall finally receive that tiara you wanted?"

"I don't know, do you think the Queen is ready to part with the Lover's Knot? I'd certainly accept it." She grinned.

"I'm certain you would," he laughed. "Sadly, I suspect some items are out of reach, even for you."

"I hear it's incredibly heavy, anyway."

"Mmmm." Brian gave her a speculative sort of look. "You're rather strong."

"Not quite as strong as you, dear brother."

He kissed her head again. "I think that depends upon what definition of 'strong' we are using. You are quite a bit stronger than I in a number of ways."

She snuggled against him, shutting her eyes. "I need to talk to Arthur when we get back. I tasked him with finding some information a little while back. I think if he's turned up anything useful... Well, I think it might be time to honestly consider going public with you."

Brian blinked in slight surprise. "Truly?"

She nodded.

"How do you envision doing such a thing?" He wondered. "Not that I am opposed, to be clear, but I am curious."

"I haven't worked out the details," she admitted. "I just think that there are less obstacles now, so it may be the time."

'Obstacles.' A rather oblique reference to all that had transpired, but Brian wasn't inclined to pressure her into that discussion at this exact moment. No, instead he was more concerned (for the time) with how certain she was, that publicity was her path. Strong though she might be, Betsy had been through an ordeal, and Brian did not want her to do something she could not take back.

"Are you certain that is what you wish to do?"

"I can't hide forever. Not if I want to ever go anywhere with you, or spend time with our family out in public places. It gets complicated."

"Mmmm." Brian was thoughtful. "I suppose. But...you will open yourself to a great deal of scrutiny."

"Yes. I'll give it some time to think through, but I think... if I ever do this, it will probably be now."

He nodded slowly. "I merely wished to...to make the point. Whichever route you select, Betsy, I shall support you. I simply do not want you to regret whatever your decision may be."

"Duly noted, Bri." She gave him a soft squeeze. "You're a good brother. I think 19-years has really broken you in."

Brian's smile in response was nearly shy, but it was utterly genuine. "I had a rather talented instructor."

Betsy smiled softly, giving him a quick nudge with her mind this time, so he would know exactly how much love filled the intangible gesture.

"I love you, too," he promised softly.