FISCHER, THEODORE

The prospects of classes and visits to the library were nearly in reach, and Theodore had been looking forward to the start of term for weeks. This summer had been much different than all the others, and it had not been one he would pin as one of his favourites exactly, it had its surprising mischievous happenings and various days where he wished nothing at all had changed. His home didn’t feel like much of his home. Of course his step-father wouldn’t laze around, he worked in the nearby florist shop and at home he tended to his family, he had been as exciting as a year old newspaper clipping, but Theodore still had not warmed up to him. His biggest nuisance was Noel, his younger brother, two years younger exactly, although the sprightly boy hardly spent any time at all, although when he did it was evident by his constant poking around, eagerness to play or eat. Regardless of the adjoining men to the Fischer household, somehow Theodore managed to keep to himself as much as usual - well in the later days anyway.

Things with his girlfriend had concluded, although in his departure he suggested they keep a friendship, partly because he had a plan in mind, and partly because he had something else that lingered in his head. At first Theodore was elated that there weren’t going to be any nagging owls or surprise visits that would keep him away from his hobbies, but after two days and a half, he began feeling a bit unusual. He wasn’t sure what it was, it certainly annoyed him however, but his irritation was only mild, the aching feeling was a bit tender, if it had a touch it would have stung slightly but it mostly left him feeling a bit hallow when all sounds were gone and his presence was his own. Theodore did not miss her…did he? He found the idea silly, dreadfully silly. After all, she bothered him, she made bewildering attempts to gum her arm to his and often stared as though his face was ever changing. But during those moments when he’d stop, taking time off from exhaustion in the greenhouse, or when he’d finish reading a chapter as he played in bed, the troublesome feeling came round again. Theodore missed having company, a hand in his, a kiss that would return and those nights that his Cordelia would fall asleep next to him. Although he often preferred just his own and recited it to so many people, he would hardly really be alone. Most holidays he would spend them with Cordelia, and at school he had a small number of people he enjoyed speaking to. For once, his solitude was not planned and he wasn’t able to understand why it affected him so.

Theodore tried to remedy his isolation by writing to Cordelia although his letters had been with half ease, as he remembered that he couldn’t request her company. Now the promises of school seemed more needed than before; there he would be able to see her and have normality return. Theodore decided to embrace the last days of his holiday until he got some very surprising but perfect news. His mother had informed him how everyone but him would be out of the house and how it wasn’t acceptable for him to stay there but before he could protest she revealed the plans she had made for him. Camping was not his idea of fun but he overlooked it as his time would be with Winry. Theodore, as determined as he was, made sure to hide any signs of a smile from his mother - the last thing he wanted was to keep her happy whenever she made arrangements for him….he was still ridding himself of the pink on his cheeks from the little wedding photo he was forced to take, the same photograph his mother would always beam and coo over whenever she picked it up from the mantel above the fireplace.

The day had arrived and Theodore was quite pleased, not only was he going to see Winry but after turning seventeen, his mother had oddly enough offered to teach him how to apparate, something he assumed he would have to wait for until the second term of school. His mother had given him the special treat for behaving, although Theodore didn’t really know what that had meant, it had meant to be a reward for keeping to certain company. After getting the hang of it from a few weeks, Theodore couldn’t wait to try it out as it would be the first time he traveled a certain distance - besides travelling with his things on a broomsticks was something he did not like (mostly due to his unbalance on the thing)

Within seconds, Theodore had been up in his room, portmanteau and cat in hand - as his mother made sure he left, and then later, there he appeared in front of Winry’s home. Ringing the doorbell, Theodore stood there with stone gray corduroy trousers and a dark coffee blazer with a maroon cardigan sweater underneath. As the door flung open, he barely had time to react as Winry had gotten on him - although Thackery’s reflexes were much quicker, as he jumped out of the way.

“You have the most peculiar of greetings” Theodore smiled as he returned the embrace.

“Thackery has made himself at home” he said after noticing the black cat walk through the front door. “Shall I do the same?” he asked jokingly and then blinked quickly “OH” Theodore said suddenly “I’ve brought you something” he said and reached into his pocket, retrieving what looked like a miniature pair of orange flowers “Hold on” he muttered before getting his wand out of his blazer. With a tap the potted flowers extended into a reasonable size “My mother thought I should bring you clipped flowers from the garden” Theodore began, his tone making it obvious how ridiculous he found the idea “But I thought this was a better idea - I’m sure you didn’t want flowers that would die within a week after been plucked from their home- ” He offered the group of Dahlias to her “You can keep them in there, or move them to soil….although it would be better if you kept them in their plotter” Theodore recommended although the way his shoulders rose gave away his worry “I began growing those Dahlia’s in Spring, they’ll fully bloom soon though. I very much advice you to keep them there, bring them to school as well…..I’m not sure how well your mother could look after them” Theodore’s hesitation was evident. He did not often trust many with his creations, or any plants actually, so whenever he did offer them it sometimes was a bit difficult. Of course there was exceptions if he trusted the receiver, although Winry wasn’t the one he was concerned about this time