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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 12, 2009 1:15:41 GMT -5
Roland sighed. "So it was the wrong thing to do, then? What a surprise. Everything I do is wrong, at least where she is concerned."
But he couldn't regret giving her the bracelet. It was one of the few things he had done that had made her smile. How could that possibly be wrong? He'd given her an out... She didn't have to accept it.
But why had she accepted it, if it was so inappropriate?
"She liked it. It made her happy... that's all I want to do, and I'm terrible at it."
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Post by Ted Tonks on Mar 12, 2009 1:19:35 GMT -5
Ted sighed. He understood that feeling.
"You're going to tell me to shove it for this, but what you did today, with Fabian... I've been there. I understand what it feels like, sacrificing your happiness for hers. But it didn't work out so well for me, Roland. They're wrong... sometimes, if you love someone, you have to hold on as tight as you can."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 12, 2009 1:44:27 GMT -5
It may not have been what Roland wanted to hear, but it was what he needed to hear. Ted's words affected him more than he wanted to admit. That was what he was doing, wasn't it? Sacrificing himself for her happiness. He always sacrificed himself for the people he loved, and most of the time, they didn't even know it. He'd always put other people's happiness before his own... he'd never even known what would make him happy.
But now... he wanted Riley. More than he'd ever wanted anyone. But instead of fighting for her, he was letting her go. Was he insane?
"I... I don't know what to do," he admitted, faltering for the first time.
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Post by Ted Tonks on Mar 12, 2009 1:49:42 GMT -5
"And I can't tell you what to do. But if it were me... I'd be breaking down her door right now." Which was exactly what he intended to do with Andi, later.
"I don't know how deeply she feels for Fabian, but even if she's completely in love with him, you're never going to know until you ask. And you'll never be able to move on until you ask, Roland. Some part of you will always hold out hope for her."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 12, 2009 11:18:22 GMT -5
He took a long drink from his glass. "I don't see myself standing there, spilling my guts for her, begging her to give me a chance," he said. "I'm not good at telling people how I feel about them. I mean, unless I don't like them; then I just tell them to shove off."
To him, the whole scenario, as it played out in his head, seemed weak. And he couldn't allow himself to appear weak. Never mind the fact that he really looked quite pathetic at the moment... he couldn't allow Riley to see him that way.
He rarely even said the words "I love you" to his family. He couldn't imagine going to Riley and telling her that he was... he was... Damn, he couldn't even say it in his own mind. How was he supposed to tell her?
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Post by Arthur Weasley on Mar 12, 2009 13:57:34 GMT -5
Arthur shook his head. "No... Roland, I think you're looking at it all wrong. It's not weak to tell her how you feel. In fact, it's one of the hardest things in the world to do. To open up your heart and lay yourself bare for someone to see. I mean... I know you're the tough guy type, and I never figured you to be the type to be afraid of anything, let alone a woman. If you love her, man... you've got to tell her. Even if she doesn't want you, at least then you'll know."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 13, 2009 15:47:44 GMT -5
"I'm not afraid of her," Roland lied.
He knew it was a lie. He was was terrified of her. Well, not her, but the feelings that he was having. They were already pretty overwhelming, and he feared what would happen if he gave in to them. He never did anything halfway, and if he let her into his heart... well, it would be for keeps. All of his talk about never getting married or having children would turn out to be lies.
"Look, I appreciate your advice," he said. "Really, I do. But I need to figure out how to handle this in my own way. I don't think I'm ready to tell her anything. Not yet. I can't even say the word."
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Post by Ted Tonks on Mar 13, 2009 16:41:08 GMT -5
Ted shrugged. "I don't know, Roland. Your way just lead you to threatening Fabian. I'm not sure doing things your way is really working out for you."
Brutal, but at least it was honest. "Although, your way also lead to kissing her three times, so what do I know?" He sighed. His mouth would have been shut if he and Andi were still fighting, but now that they weren't... he just felt bad seeing anyone go through what Roland was so obviously going through. It wasn't a fun experience.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 13, 2009 17:02:22 GMT -5
Roland eyed him for a minute. A part of him knew that he should be listening to these two. Ted, at least, had been where he was right now. Arthur was also in the same position, it seemed. They knew what he was going through. And for Ted, it had worked out pretty well.
But the infamous Ferrera stubbornness was kicking in. Everyone seemed to have an opinion about his love life, and they were all pressuring him to do something about his feelings for Riley. When pressured, Roland tended to push back. His patience was starting to wear thin.
"I know I haven't handled it well so far. It took me a while to realize what was happening. I just... I need to think this through. If I approach it wrong, she's just going to get angry with me."
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Post by Arthur Weasley on Mar 18, 2009 1:38:37 GMT -5
Arthur shrugged. "Isn't she always angry at you? I mean, no offense, but... I can't believe that's your excuse. You're used to her being mad at you by now, right? What's the worst that can happen, really? That she rejects you. And believe me, man, we've all been there. But right now, you're not doing anything, and you're just acting like... well... like a jerk, and that's no way to get her to like you."
He normally would not be quite so open with someone like Roland, but the little bit of alcohol had him feeling unusually bold.
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Post by Ted Tonks on Mar 18, 2009 12:29:56 GMT -5
"Arthur's got a point," Ted said. "From the arguements I've heard, and the talk from others... you two are always in a fight. Besides, it's Riley. She'll probably be angry with you even if you approach it the right way."
Of course, with most women, Ted didn't think there really was a right way. Sometimes you just hit the way that didn't offend them. Women were hard.
"And, the longer you wait, the more time she has to fall for Fabian."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 18, 2009 17:14:15 GMT -5
"Well, you know, if I'm going to tell her how I feel about her, I'd rather she not respond by yelling at me," he said, his tone irritated. "I don't really pour my heart out to just anyone, and if I'm going to do it, I'd like to think she'd actually care. You're not exactly encouraging me here. It's starting to sound like too much trouble."
He buried his face in his hands. He had so many more pressing issues he should be worrying about, but Riley seemed to be the only one that mattered. He couldn't stop thinking about her, and it was driving him to distraction.
"How am I supposed to even tell her? I can't even say the word. I don't want to sound like some stupid soppy romantic... no offense, Ted."
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Post by Ted Tonks on Mar 18, 2009 17:20:14 GMT -5
Ted rolled his eyes.
"Fine, then don't say anything to her," Ted returned. "There's an easier solution to this. Kiss her again. And don't let her pull away the first time she tries to, because she will."
She would either kiss him back after that, or slap him, and either way, Roland would have his answer. He just felt kind of bad for Fabian in all of this. He was a good guy, and hell, he probably was better for Riley. But he also wasnt agonizing over being in love with the girl.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 18, 2009 21:40:28 GMT -5
Roland brightened slightly. "I can do that," he said.
He still wasn't sure if he would, but it sounded a whole lot easier and more pleasant than pouring out his heart to her. His ego was still slightly bruised from that disastrous first kiss, and after the thid kiss he had promised he wouldn't do it again. But then, he'd freely admitted that it was a lie.
Roland finished the last of his drink. "Look... thanks for the advice, mates. I'll think about what you said, and I'll decide what to do."
He dropped a few coins on the bar to pay for his drinks. "I'll talk to you later and let you know how it's going. Or... well, maybe you'll be able to figure it out by the arguments... or lack of them."
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Post by Ted Tonks on Mar 18, 2009 22:45:34 GMT -5
Ted smiled, wondering if Roland really would pull Riley into that kiss or not.
He gave Roland a little salute. "Good luck. We'll see you in the office, and we'll hope for less arguements. Or more. Making up in kind of fun," he added and smiled wryly.
He watched Roland leave, and turned and raised his eyebrows at Arthur. "Well that was awkward."
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Post by Arthur Weasley on Mar 18, 2009 23:16:23 GMT -5
Arthur released a breath and turned to look at Ted. "Yeah... we have to coordinate these things better. From now on, I am not inviting any guests without running them by you first." He chuckled, then let out a sigh.
He felt bad for both guys, and for Riley. It was a confusing situation. "I hope Fabian took what I said to heart," he said. "I invited him because... well, for the same reason you invited Roland. I had this feeling that Roland had a thing for Riley... I just had no idea how bad."
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Post by Ted Tonks on Mar 19, 2009 13:03:21 GMT -5
Ted laughed. "Same here. Sorry, mate. I just didn't think..."
Ted just drank some more of his firewhiskey. "I hope Roland took what we said to heart, too. It's not that I want Roland to get the girl... I like Fabian. He's a good guy. I just think Riley should know her options. Hell, she'll probably pick Fabian anyway."
Ted smiled a little. "Hey, Arthur, change of subject. I need to tell you something."
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Post by Arthur Weasley on Mar 20, 2009 0:07:08 GMT -5
Arthur was just silently thinking that Riley was more likely to choose Roland, because his feelings for her seemed to go deeper than Fabian's. In fact, Roland's intensity made Arthur wonder whether he was capable of loving Molly that deeply. He'd never even had the chance to find out.
But Arthur was quickly drawn from these thoughts by Ted's sudden change of tone. He sounded determined, yet positive.
"Sure. What's up Ted?"
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Post by Ted Tonks on Mar 20, 2009 0:29:56 GMT -5
Ted smiled a little, wondering what Arthur would say. He would have to be glad about it, right? He knew Ted was a right arse when Andi wasn't around.
He pulled the box from his robes, opening it and setting it on the bar in front of Arthur so he could inspect the ring.
Then, he just raised his eyebrows, his chin in hand, and didn't say anything.
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Post by Arthur Weasley on Mar 20, 2009 1:10:25 GMT -5
Arthur's eyes widened at the sight of the ring. It was small, but elegant, and the diamond had a nice sparkle to it. Although he imagined that there was much more fancy jewelry that had been handed down throughout her family, Arthur didn't doubt that Andi, who had simpler tastes, would love the ring.
"So you're going to do it, then?" Arthur said. "You're going to propose?"
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