flippin_peachy | RP With Eleanor Bishop

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flippin_peachy

One might assume that Alfred Pennyworth, with his sharp looking suit and polite manners, would stick out at a prison but it's actually quite the opposite. He moves through it with a sort of calm assurance, like a man who is walking through a place he's been before and is no stranger to the rules or customs.

The time he spent in jail was not in America, it was back in England and while it thankfully wasn't for very long it goes a long way to giving him the aura of someone not to be messed with. Something the other inmates can sense and when he passes by their cells they don't mock him, only glance up for a moment as he goes by towards the visiting center.

The guard gives him a small, respectful nod and opens the door for him and it is only now that his heart starts to pound. It's not from being in a prison, it's from the woman sitting in the center of the room waiting for him.

Even now, years later and under rather bad circumstance, she takes his breath away.

"Hello, Ellie." He says, calling her by his old nickname for her.

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It was certainly not how she imagined things would go.

At leasts she was happy that it was not their first reunion in decades. No, Alfred had returned to her life at a time when she was wary he would sniff out the odor of her sins. But luckilly for her, he had arrived when she needed him the most. At a time when he could guide Kate, teach her the things she wouldn't ever listen from her mother. Most importantly, he was there to pick up the pieces after Eleanor was taken away.

It gave her a little peace of mind, knowing he was out there watching her daughter. Kate couldn't be in better hands.

And there he is. As stylish as ever, not even a single wrikle on his suit. He might be a little grayer, sure, but still handsome and the gentleman she remembers.

"Hello, Alfie."

She stands, suddenly feeling so very aware of the orange uniform she is wearing and the cuffs around her wrists. It's not exactly the glamorous picture of herself she tries to paint whenever she has a meaningful meeting ahead.

Eleanor glances at the guard behind the bars, silently asking if she's allowed to approach him. Touch him. Hug him.

From:

flippin_peachy

Even in the orange prison jumpsuit and without a lick of make-up she looks beautiful, in fact those things almost seem to highlight her beauty because it strips everything away and just shows her as the woman she is.

Strong, resilient, and full of grace.
She looks like a tired queen, one that has had to endure years of turmoil and burden and his heart aches to be her knight of honor.

The guard gives them both a nod to indicate that it's safe to touch and Alfred moves around the table that sits between them to embrace her. The handcuffs she wears don't hinder him in anyway and he wraps his arms around her, hugging her tightly.

"It's good to see you."

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It's an awkward position, but not simply because Eleanor's arms are pinned between their bodies, both angled towards Alfred's hips as her fingers close around his side and she leans into him. It brings memories, the sort of memories that involve the muscles, the body, before reaching the heart. Like a forceful hug when all she wanted to do was cry and trash the place away.

Alfred was always so good at grounding her. He was cold when he needed to be, could endure anything if that meant looking after her.

Even now he continues to be her guardian angel.

"I bet you say that to all the girls you visit in prison." She attempts to joke. Eleanor sounds exactly like that tired queen he sees through that plain uniform and the dark bags under her eyes.

Her hand closes in a tighter fist around his coat, before she pulls back, still within his embrace, putting enough distance between them to look at him in the eye.

"Thank you for coming."

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flippin_peachy

"Thank you for receiving me." He says, looking into her eyes without any hint of judgement or awkwardness. "I wasn't sure you would be up for visitors."

He knows that she's been going through a lot, not just physically but mentally. Prison is the one place where you can't really get away from yourself or your thoughts.

"I arranged for us to have tea." Because of course he did and he gives her a small smile. "And I've brought biscuits."

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Truth be told, Eleanor had not been all that eager to see anyone. Or rather, for anyone to see in this state. Exposed for her crimes, her mistakes, alone and hated by her own daughter. A shell of herself.

"I'm always happy to see you," she pointed out truthfully, not letting go of him but keeping at arm's lenght, her hand finding his cheek.

"Of course you did," finally, a true smile graced her now chapped lips. "You always know how to spoil me."

She waved a had towards the metallic table they would share. "Please, welcome. I'm not going to let the circumstances make me a terrible host," she joked.

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flippin_peachy

He leans his cheek against her hand, enjoying the warmth of her palm and the simple feeling of her touch and the brief glimpse of her actual smile.

"You can't have a proper visit with an Englishman without tea." He teases gently and when they finally step away from one another in order to sit down he is sad, always wanting to keep her close.

Alfred nods towards the guard and a moment later a pot of hot water is brought in, Alfred puts some tea bags into it and then produces a package of jaffa cakes for them to snack on.

"You remember the first time I made you try these?" He asks with a smile, "You were so put off by the idea of orange jelly in the center and yet somehow you ate the whole box when my back was turned."

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"And you always love to do things the proper way." Even if that was the Alfred way. Careful in every step, not gathering attention towards himself and deadly if needed to be. Sometimes she thought they were more alike than she wanted to admit to be. They were certainly better matched than she and Derek had been, even if she had walked down the aisle and worn the white gown to marry the young millionaire.

Derek will always be the love of her life, no matter how they clashed sometimes.

"Oh, my favorites!" She shakes away those thoughts, the remark bursting out instantly even though Alfred wasted no time at reminding her how she had distrusted his taste in biscuits back it the day. "Well, forgive me if they sounded horrible."

And yet, right now and with how she had almost forgotten what actual food tastes like, she sits down and wastes no time in taking one out and digging in. "If you're not careful I might eat the whole box again." She pointed out, hiding her mouth behind her hands as she chewed.

As soon as she was done, she reached out to touch his arm. "How are you?"

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flippin_peachy

In all his years of loving her Alfred has never once held it against her that she married Derek, he had met the man and knew he was a good bloke. Perhaps a little stupid when it came to money and business based on some of the more recent information that Kate has told him but he was a good man and he had made Eleanor happy and that was what mattered. Besides, Alfred knew in his heart that he wasn't good enough for her. She was a queen and deserved to marry a king who could make her feel happy and secure, not a beaten up war dog who sometimes didn't know when his next job was coming in.

"I'll be careful not to take my eyes off you then." An easy feat seeing how he always loves looking at her and when she puts a hand on his arm he covers it with one of his own.

"Oh I'm all right, been busy helping Master Bruce with the details of the annual Wayne holiday charity event. He's a bit older now so he wants to have more of a say in it."

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It seems to come natural to them.

The circumstances never mattered. They could be an ocean apart, a marrige could be between them, years pass by but the affection they share is always there, intact. Eleanor had felt it over the years, the ease in which she could slip into his embrace, how his hand now covers her own. It's an unspoken thing. Whatever thing is unresolved between them, one thing is certain. The way they care about each other will never thaw.

"Jesus, he must he so old now. Probably as tall as you are," she comments as she makes the math of the last time Alfred's shared pictures of the boy he looked after as his own.

But that boy is not her main concern. And as much as she wants to bite her tongue and be patient, Eleanor cannot pretend for long. "Have you seen Kate?"

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flippin_peachy

"Taller, actually." Alfred admits with a fake scowl but a second later it is replaced with a look of obvious pride. "He's sixteen now and becoming every bit of the amazing young man I knew he would be."

He knew it wouldn't be long before she asked about Kate, it is after all part of why he is visiting and he nods.

"She's been staying with us for the holidays."

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"He must be if you helped raising him." She gives his forearm a little affectionate squeeze with true heartfelt words. Eleanor has no doubts Alfred would have made a great father.

He is one, even if there's no blood ties between that boy and him.

As much as she wants to throw a million questions his way, she doesn't want to overwhelm him. And so, she focuses on grabbing the tea pot and pouring their drinks instead.

"Is she? I was wondering if she'd go back to California with her friends." She muses outloud. "How is she - How is she handling things?"

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flippin_peachy

"Much like her mother used to." He says after a moment. "By outwardly focusing on other things such as training, shopping and a boyfriend."

It's nothing against Kate or her mother, he just can't help but notice the similarities.

"But on the inside she's been slowly working through things. She's angry at you. Obviously. But she also misses you terribly, I can tell by the way she perks up when I talk about you in passing."

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"Oh, come on. You know I've always been focused in work." Eleanor had not come from luxury like Derek did, she had studied and worked hard her whole life, just like Alfred did. It was another reason why her old flame had always understood her better than her husband did.

Bantering aside, something else caught her attention. "I'm sorry, a boyfriend?"

Kate rarely shared her own love life with her mother, most of her relationships something she shared casually whenever she came back home from campus. Eleanor was glad for these news, she realized. At least her daughter wasn't alone with her thoughts these holidays. She had Alfred, Bruce and whoever this boy was. "Tell me he is good to her."

She's not shocked to hear Kate is angry, that as much is obvious. In all honesty, she had every reason to feel disappointed. "Did you tell Kate you were coming?" Eleanor asked, putting down the tea pot.

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flippin_peachy

He clucks his tongue softly against the roof of his mouth when he realizes that he has very little information about the man Kate is seeing, "I think so. She was staying with him originally when she came to Gotham but they hit a bit of a rough patch, one she admits was mostly her fault, and decided it was a little too soon to be shacked up together. Which is how she came to stay with us."

Gently Alfred shakes his head, "No. She and I....have also had a recent argument and I decided it best not to say anything of my plan to visit you."

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If Eleanor is passing any judgement of Kate's living arrangement on a relationship that is probably too sudden in a very vulnerable moment in her life... Well, she does try and bite her tongue about it. But her relief is obvious when Albert mentions that her daughter is staying at Wayne manor instead of with mystery man.

"Good. It was far too soon," she mutters against her wish to be understanding of Kate's wishes.

At the mention of Kate and Alfred's clash, she does straighten her posture, frowing lightly as she lowers her cup of tea before she can even blow on it.

"You argued because of me," she states, this clearly not being a question.

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flippin_peachy

Eleanor's relief is more than obvious and if they were in a different position he might have laughed and teased her about that reaction but for now he just nods at her second statement, the one about his argument with Kate.

"Yes." A small pause before he adds, "She found out about her father and his initial involvement with Fisk."

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If her relief was obvious then her shock now hits even harder. Lowering the cup until it almost touches the metallic table, her lips remain parted, but now words come out of her mouth just yet.

"She..."

Eleanor had been so careful about that, keeping every document sealed and hidden, making sure Derek's involvment was a secret lost in time.

"Did Fisk spill out? My lawyer didn't say a thing..."

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flippin_peachy

"I honestly don't know how she found out." Alfred says, "But she has and that is part of why we argued."

He pauses to take a sip of tea and gather his thoughts. "I got frustrated with her when she kept blaming you for it all and calling you a bad person." He looks up into Eleanor's eyes. "Which you're not, you made a mistake. I've made plenty of those so I understand but Kate refused to listen, she had already made her mind up as to who the villain in the story was."

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Getting lost in her own thoughts, Eleanor finally allows herself to taste that tea, her eyes closing as she allows herself to enjoy it and, for a very brief moment, imagine she's not behind bars or wearing cuffs.

She sighs as Alfred explains the situation, very much returning to her current reality. "You shouldn't have fought, you don't need to defend me." Eleanor points out quietly, even though she reaches for his hand to give it a grateful squeeze. "I understand why she is mad, why she's heartbroken over her dad. I always feared this might happen someday."

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flippin_peachy

"I didn't defend you because I thought I had to, I did it because I know you Ellie. I know you never meant for this to get so bad."

He says and laces his fingers through hers, holding her hand tightly.

"And I know why you never told her, why you let her keep thinking her father was perfect."

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"I never intended to kill anyone, but I did." And that has nothing to do with Derek, she tells herself, even though she is well aware of how things snowglobbed as years passed and she had no other option but to work with Fisk.

There's clear sadness in the way she smiles, holding tight onto Alfred's hand.

"She deserved not to be disappointed by at least one of her parents."

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flippin_peachy

"I know."

And he knows that the guilt is eating her alive, just like it does to him when he has to kill. He's never liked it, he just happens to be good at it.

"She also deserves to know that her parents are people. Real ones who make mistakes like she will."

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Always trying to keep a regal aura to herself, Eleanor is careful about her posture, never hunching her back, always keeping the tone of her voice under control.

Right now, she bats her lashes a few times, trying not to let her weakness overcome her.

"She deserves someone like you to look after her." And yet, she shakes her head. "I know I put a huge responsibility over your shoulders when you already have Bruce. I don't know what I did to deserve you, in all honesty."

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flippin_peachy

"First of all, you didn't put anything on me. I offered." He says firmly.

"And second, you know what you did to deserve me."

His voice is a soft rumble and he looks into her eyes with quiet sincerity. She knows that he will always love her, that he'll always be here for her.

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It was all bad timing when it came to them. She was with someone, he was with someone. There was business and travelling and mistakes, but one thing never changed. She did love him back, even when she also loved someone else.

"You deserved someone better then," she corrects herself, holding up his hand to feel it once more against her face.

Back when they reunited, Jacques had been by her side, a future husband. Again bad timing. Now, he saw her bare like nobody else could.

From:

flippin_peachy

Alfred had his fair share of female attention back then but he would have dropped it all for her, no one save Eleanor had come close to snagging his heart the way his great love Esme had.

"You'll have to pardon my language but that's a load of bullshit." He says dryly and opens his hand to caress her cheek. His hands are rough and callused from years of hard work and yet they stroke her skin with infinite softness.

"But Ellie, I have to ask. Why didn't you come to me for help after you had to start dealing with Fisk? You know I've dealt with his type before."

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She doesn't argue. Eleanor is aware that doing so would be like wasting her breath when it comes to Alfred and his high opinion on her. Instead, she simply leans her cheek into his touch, finding consolation on this affection that remains as strong as it always was.

But this conversation brings up such mixed emotions. In a way, she remembers so vividly those shared evenings, keeping each other warm or even talking into late hours of the night. Lazy or passionate kisses. Back in the day they used to know each other like the back of their own hands.

"I was -- I didn't want you to see what was happening. What Derek did." Alfred had always been so kind when it came to his opinion of Derek, but Eleanor had always had her doubts about it. Telling Alfred about her husband's risky business, how she feared they might lose it all...

"I was ashamed."

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flippin_peachy

She had been and always would be a proud woman and as much as he is hurt that she didn't come for help he can understand why she didn't, after all he was similar. How many times had he taken on more than he could handle because of his pride? Of his desire to fix things himself and not allow others to carry the burden?

"He threatened to hurt Kate, didn't he?" Fisk he means and he rubs his thumb across her cheekbone. "That's what escalated things, wasn't it?"

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Keeping her eyes shut, Eleanor still placed a small barrier between them, stil avoiding him. Of course, he wasn't judging her, rationally she had always known he wouldn't. But she couldn't see him, seeing her like this. And so she frowned, giving a curt little nod to his question.

"Right after Derek died. He had a huge debt, Fisk made himself clear." But Eleanor rose from their ashes, the company picked up, went back to what it used to be when Derek's father was alive. "I tried to end things now before Kate started working with me. To keep her out of it and safe."

Of course, her daughter had the ability to sniff danger, it seems. "Then she started snooping around with that Avenger and things got out of hand."

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flippin_peachy

Alfred sighs and nods, "They do have a way of doing that."

He knows from first hand how quickly things can go bad, just look at the past few years with Bruce and Wayne Enterprises.

"Now that it's done and out in the open, do you feel some relief?"

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"Part of me does. And very briefly, I feel like I used to before everything went down." Which doesn't last long, now in a place like this one. "It's hard, knowing that she knows the truth about me. I had grown so used to the lies I almost believed them myself."

She can't help it, leaning in to rest her head on his shoulder, Feeling his chest against her own. "Alfred, when did we get so lost?"

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flippin_peachy

He can't really give her an answer but he can give comfort so he wraps an arm around her shoulders and after a moment he speaks.

"Not that long ago I had Master Bruce ask me something very similar." He says slowly, thinking back about that day in the hospital when Bruce admitted that he had lost his way. "And I will tell you what I told him."

"The thing about being lost is that when you're in the thick of it, you feel as if you've got no where to go. No one there to help you. It's like you're lost in darkness."

He looks down at her, his eyes gentle and kind.

"Getting out of that darkness is hard but once you start trudging forward you will find a light. Your True North, and if you let that guide you then eventually you will come out of it."

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Eleanor remembers a time long ago, laying naked in the bed of the shabby tiny apartment she was sharing with other students, and Alfred speaking with the same kind of wisdow. The wisdom of someone ahead of his own age, so calm. Speaking like someone who truly trusts that everything will fall in the right places and it's all going to be alright.

"That's such a wonderful advice for a boy with his life ahead of him," she states, trying to sound warm despite of her words.

"Did you find your light, Alfred?"

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flippin_peachy

"I found it the moment I got to hold him." He says, his voice barely above a whisper. "The moment Martha put that tiny little babe in my arms, I knew I had found it."

He can still remember the feeling, how astonishing that such a tiny baby had managed to knock all the air out of him.

"I imagine you felt similar when you first held Kate."

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Even if he can't see her face right now, he'll sure hear her smile. That little enthusiasm as she breaths out.

"Yes, I know exactly what you're talking about. It was the first thing that came to mind." That one moment when you know your life has shifted for good. "It's like you suddenly become aware that there's someone much more important than your own life."

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flippin_peachy

"Exactly."

He knew she would understand, they were both parents after all and was there anything more full of light in their lives than their children?

"You have a daughter out there who while upset at you, still loves you. And misses you." He says as he gently leans his head against hers. "And wants to know you, the real you, Ellie."

Not the lies or front that Eleanor had put up in order to keep Kate safe, but the real woman that Alfred knew like the back of his hand. The fact that Kate had been so blown away by some of Alfred's stories about her proved that.

"Maybe some good can come of all of this in that you two can get to know one another on more equal terms."

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This time she did not argue. Not simply because deep down she wanted to trust that he was right about how things would work out between her daughter and herself. But rather, because Eleanor knew Alfred was not the sort of person who sugarcoated things.

She knows him, she remembers a much more pessimistic man, but one who always spoke with honesty. His hair might have changed, not raven and without that curl she liked to play with as they laid together. But this is the same Alfred as always.

"If I get out of here," she reminds him.

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flippin_peachy

"You will." He insists, giving her a gentle squeeze that feels a bit like a promise. "It might take a bit and there will be consequences of you being in here but you will be free."

He pauses, shifting so he can look down at her.

"Do you have any information about Fisk and other criminal syndicates he was involved with? Something he said or shared that could be used as leverage?"

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She knows she will, she has one of the best lawyers money can buy working on her case. Ruthless, capable of getting out much worse criminals than she is. Her case was already steering towards showing she had been a terrified widower, a mother worrying about her child's safety.

Everything Alfred saw in her.

"I do. About him, about the russians working with him too," but Eleanor was unsure about using that card, if she should keep it under her sleeve in case Fisk got out. What if he paid the right person who'd be at the right time alone with her? "I have some documents saved at home. Just in case."

Just in case it came to this.

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flippin_peachy

He can't help but huff a small laugh, "Course you do. You always were so clever."

Clever and a tiny bit paranoid, just like him.

"I'll let you deal with your case as you see fit but you know if you need any extra digging done who to call."

Mainly him, just in case she needs extra to help sway the odds in her favor.

"I had an idea about Kate, though."

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"I will," she agreed, feeling a bit more like herself.

Sitting up straighter, Eleanor picked her tea cup before her drink goes cold. When will it be her next time to have actual tea instead of that dirty water they offer her in this place? Leave it to Alfred to fix that.

"About Kate? What do you mean?"

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flippin_peachy

He lets go of her, shifting away a bit to give her room to drink her tea and regain her usual demeanor.

"I had an idea about how you two could maybe start to mend things."

He knows Kate isn't going to visit her mother, not when she's still so upset at her, but that doesn't mean there can't be contact.

"It might seem a bit old fashioned but I was thinking you could write to her." He suggests, "It takes some of the pressure off both of you. She can read them in her own time and reply similarly."

Plus it gives both of them some space and the chance to re-write things if at first they write out things that are too painful and upsetting.

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Alfred has a point. Not only that would take the pressure of time, of the need of an immediate response as the clock tics and their time of the visit grows shorter. Kate has also inherited her mother's temper. Pressure is definitely not on their side if they want to mend things.

"You always were the best when it came to planning out things." Eleanor comments after taking a sip of tea. She tucks her hair behind her ear then, her usually perfect bob looked a little unkept these days.

At least in some ways she looked a little closer to the girl who had once met him for the very first time.

"Very well. But you'll have to bring them and take them yourself."

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flippin_peachy

"Oh what a hardship that will be." He teases her, giving her the same little smirk he used to when they were young.

"Having to visit you more often? I honestly don't know how I'll manage...."

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"I know, what a terrible torture," she joked, sounding calm and collected, pretending most of her attention was focused on her drink.

But her little smile spoke for itself.

"You know, you're probably the one man I've ever truly trusted in my life. Even more than Derek."

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flippin_peachy

That little Mona Lisa smile of hers, so subtle that if you didn't catch it you'd think she was ignoring you. But he knows better.

"I'm honored to have that trust." Truly he is and he will never betray it.

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"I never stopped--"

And yet, she thinks it twice before she speaks too much. Yes, she might have a firey temper like Kate does, but Eleanor knows when to bite her tongue before she speaks too much."

"I never stopped caring about you, my dear friend."

At least that smile is less subtle now. Closer, to what it once was back when Eleanor had no reasons to censor herself.

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flippin_peachy

That slight hitch in her sentence feels like a hand squeezing his heart and he reaches over to brush back a lock of her hair.

"Nor I you, Ellie."

Nor will he ever give up on her, even if she gives up on herself he will be there to help pull her out of it.

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For a moment, there's a brief peek at the sadness she once felt, how heartbroken she had felt stepping into the airport, ready to take that flight back home. It was a feeling that always caught up with her whenever she remembered those days.

Back then she had told herself, she had told Alfred himself that she would come back to visit soon. It would only take a few months. But those months grew longer and she met Derek soon after. Then she became a mom. Some years later, her visits were reduced to days, only enough time to take care of business.

"I'm sorry I didn't visit more often."

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flippin_peachy

"I'm sorry I didn't either."

Because it wasn't all on her, he could have come over to visit as well. But the sad fact was that they both had lives to live and while he had missed her terribly there were points in his that he was glad she wasn't around to see. Dangerous parts where he slept better knowing she was safe in America with a man who up until now he thought wouldn't ever get her involved in some of the dangers he dealt with.

"I always knew you were there though." He says softly, "Being on the other side of the world doesn't change that."

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"Under the same stars," she repeats the quote they once shared, decades ago, to try and make the sour taste of being apart a little more manageable. Now, Eleanor thought of those words with a sense of innocence she feels is long gone for her, wondering if Alfred feels the same way.

In a way, they had both been idealists back in the day.

"It's strange, how things can change so much over the years while others remain the same." Feelings, for instance.

She is well aware of why he is helping her, why he still hopes the Eleanor he once loved is not completely lost. Eleanor herself wonders about that sometimes. Is she still, somehow, still there?

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flippin_peachy

"Yes, under the same stars." He echoes softly, thinking back about the same memories that she is. They weren't just empty words though, there were many times after she had left London that he would sit and stare up at the night's sky and think of her.

"Strange but comforting sometimes."

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She can't help herself. The chains of her cuffs rattle as Eleanor reaches up to caress his cheek, same as she's done it so many times before, so many years ago.

"Do you ever wonder... What if things had worked out differently between us?"

Does she have any regrets? No. Not completely. The path she took gave Eleanor the most precious person in her life: her daughter.

But things could have been different if she had indeed reached out earlier.

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flippin_peachy

He places his hand over hers, keeping it in place against his cheek. Even in prison her hands are warm and welcome against his skin.

"Course I have."

Many times, but much like her he has no regrets. Not when she has been blessed with a daughter and he a son.

"Have you?"

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Eleanor's thumb traces his cheekbone. The little lines that are now there but weren't before. They give him character, are testimony of the many laughs and frowns over the years, of a well lived life.

A life she sometimes wished they had shared.

"Sometimes," she confesses. "Sometimes I think nobody has ever understood me like you do."

And this is proof of that. Even at her lowest, Alfred is here by her side.

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flippin_peachy

Those lines crease up against her fingers as a warm smile spreads across his face, "To be fair I have known you longer than most."

A pause as that smile creeps up into something a little more sly, "And I've seen you pull some stunts that nobody would believe. Remember that time you hot wired that cherry red Ferrari in London?"

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Her hand turns to clasp Alfred's as a heartfelt laugh escapes her lips. Goodness, when was the last time she actually laughed? It feels like forever.

"Well, what's a girl supposed to do? I never thought I'd hate the chance to sit in one again. Let alone drive one." She squeezed his hand, her smile showing a little slyness of her own. "Besides, it's not like you were an angel yourself. Remember when you pretended to be the owner of that club, kicked those rich kids out and then took their bottles?"

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flippin_peachy

The sound of her laugh fills his heart up with warmth and he laces his fingers through hers.

"Driving isn't the only thing you wanted to do in that car." He adds before chuckling and offering her a little shrug. "And to be fair, those rich plonkers deserved it. They were mistreating the staff and acting rude to everyone."

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"And doing it was divine," Eleanor agrees, leaning in as she emphasizes that last word. She still remembers their awkward fumbling, climbing and moving around. Perhaps a few unintended elbowing involved. But it was some of the best sex, certainly the most fun she's ever had.

"I wonder how long it took them to notice that stain."

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flippin_peachy

Her comment catches him off guard and he erupts with laughter.

"You cheeky minx." He says and impulsively leans in to kiss her cheek.

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Even though her toothy grin says it all, Eleanor has the decency to at least pretend to be coy as she lowers her gaze. It helps, the fact that the sudden kiss did catch her by surprise, taking her truly aback as if talking about old memories had only been a taste of it.

"And we wonder how I ended up here."

From:

flippin_peachy

The reminder that she is in prison kills some of their laughter and seems to remind the guards that they only have so much time, one of them clears his throat and Alfred gives him a nod.

"Well hopefully you won't be for much longer." He says, a pang of sadness hitting his heart at the fact he has to leave her.

"Shall I return next week? For more tea and to collect any letters you want to send?"

From:

Alfred's visit has been like a light in a realm of darkness. In all honesty, Eleanor can't remember even smiling since that horrible night, since arriving to this place. Stripped, searched, thrown in a uniform and a cell. Having destroyed her own life and her relationship with her daughter.

Her smile is once more stolen away and she can do little but give a curt nod.

At his question, she gives his hand a squeeze while her free hand reaches for his arm. "I would love that."

From:

flippin_peachy

"Then I shall return next week." He says and leans in to hug her.

"And I'll make sure to bring more Jaffa cakes."

From:

Reckless as she has once been, Eleanor has learned to restrain herself a long time ago. Becoming a mother has certainly helped with that.

And so, despite of how she's desperate to hold as tight as possible to him, to silently tell him she doesn't want to let go, she doesn't.

She doesn't turn her face to find his lips, to kiss him like they once did. Like she's missed as time passed by. Like she needs to right now.

"I can't wait."

From:

flippin_peachy

Ooc: SO MANY FEELS!!! I love it!
Also imagine the look on Kate's face if her mom gets out of jail and proceeds to smooch Alfred

From:

ooc: All of theeeem!!!
LMAO I can't stop thinking about that because I'm low-key hoping it happens.

What if for a family dinner of partner introductions, Eleanor brings Alfred and Kate brings Ed? XD

From:

flippin_peachy

ooc: Hahaha the most awkward dinner ever
XD

From:

ooc: Eleanor wondering why her ex/new partner is playing the overprotective dad part already by punching Ed on the face, lol.

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Alfred Pennyworth