Chapter Text
“I got it, Fiona… No, I won’t forget your Bourbon.” Cordelia huffs, holding the phone between her cheek and her shoulder to reach for the flour on the shelf. Her attempt fails miserably when she leans too far into the shelf and various bags of sugar tumble to the ground. “Fuck,” She curses, this was just what she needed on top of everything. “No, mother, I didn’t- I will call you back, just text me what you need please.” She ends the call and shoves her phone back into her pocket to pick up the things that fell to the ground.
“Let me help you.” Someone kneels down beside her, picking up the bags of sugar and putting them back on the shelf. “Thank you, I-” Cordelia brushes a piece of hair behind her ear as she looks at the person who had assisted her seconds ago, eyes traveling from ring-adorned fingers to wild curls falling over lace-covered shoulders. “Misty?” Her mouth opens and maybe it shouldn’t shock her this much to see her standing in front of her. But it does. And it takes her back fifteen years.
But Misty smiles. If she’s surprised at all she hides it well. She can’t help herself. “Cordelia, hi.” She greets. She can’t bring herself to say anything, too stunned to find the right words. “I, It’s nice to see you, I didn’t expect to see you here.” Misty chuckles. “I was gonna say the same thing. You’re the one that got away after all.” She speaks, the words leaving a bitter aftertaste and a sting in Cordelia’s chest. There was an awkward pause between them, Misty rocking back and forth on her heels before she spoke again.
“What brings you back to New Orleans?” She asks. “Fiona is sick. It’s nothing serious, but she’s gotten so insufferable that not even Delphine could stand it any longer.” Misty chuckles. “I’m sorry, it’s not funny. I can’t believe Delphine was still around and she hasn’t taken off sooner.” She speaks honestly and Cordelia laughs. “I know, I don’t know what made her stick around so long.” She hums. “Well, now I’m stuck with her for a while. I’m hoping for a speedy recovery.” She raises her brows. “Send her my best wishes.” Misty says, sarcasm dripping from her words. “Oh, she’ll be thrilled.”
Fiona’s dislike for Misty wasn’t a secret, not even a surprise. Fiona didn’t like anyone but herself, occasionally people who offered some sort of service to her, whom she could profit off of. The second she met the Cajun, not even a single word was exchanged between them, she had made up her mind about her. “A swamp rat, Cordelia? Really? That’s what you call a friend?” Cordelia rarely spoke up, and never defended herself but she drew the line when it came to the ruthless words her mother spit at Misty or the rude things she said about her. Misty was one of her only friends, the one she had always been closest to - in many ways. She was her person.
The resentment Fiona held against Misty wasn’t one sided though. The girl hated, hates , the way the woman treats her own daughter, the way she made her feel about herself. She didn’t care for the things Fiona had to say about her, how much she hated her. But she cared about Cordelia and her well-being. She had spent countless nights holding her, whispering the sweetest things into her hair in a desperate attempt to get rid of the words Fiona had put into her head. They were nothing but lies. Cordelia was smart, kind, beautiful, caring, and loving ― she was everything good in the world and deserved nothing but love.
“I should probably leave you to it.” Even though that’s the last thing Misty wants to do, it seems like the appropriate thing to do. “I don’t want to get you into trouble.” Misty says. “I’m not in high school anymore, Mist.” Cordelia chuckles, making her blush slightly. “You’re right though, and you probably have places to be.” She adds, feeling a tug at her heart.
It’s strange between them now. Difficult. Neither of them should have expected it to be any different but it hurts. The almost hostile energy between them was so unfamiliar. It’s as though someone build a wall between them, it’s begging to be torn down, but everything that has happened between them holds it together. For the first time in their lives, they don’t know each other, leaving them frustrated, hearts aching for what they once had.
Cordelia doesn’t know if Misty had someone to go home to, or what Misty was up to these days. She didn’t know how her family was doing, if her siblings had children now. Did Misty have children? Her nails sink into the palm of her hand, an attempt to drag herself back into the reality she longs to escape now. She doesn’t want to fantasize about Misty’s life, one that doesn’t involve her. Even if it is her own fault. Perhaps she should leave that for another time. When she isn’t standing in front of Misty.
“Right. I’ll… see ya around?” Cordelia forces a smile onto her lips. “Sure, I’ll be here for a while. See you.” She says with a nod. And with a small wave, Misty is gone, disappearing into another aisle.
Cordelia continues her shopping trip, her mind wandering from the things she initially came here for. She walks through the aisles, distracted, has to go back for multiple things because she had walked past them. But she eventually makes it to the checkout, pays for her things, apologizes for not giving the right amount of money (gives a generous tip) and carries the grocery bags to her car.
“Are ya trying to steal my car?” Cordelia lifts her head, frowning. The car in front of her unlocks, but the sound is different from her car. This isn’t her car. It’s Misty’s. She can’t help but laugh, rubbing her forehead, “I’m sorry, I’m just…” She looks up and the Cajun is right in front of her. So close. “thinking about us?” Misty is taking a wild guess, making a bold assumption that could backfire. She’s taking a chance, a risk. But she has already lost Cordelia, the worst outcome would be that she walks away from her, and they won’t see each other again. Maybe they make eye contact once or twice when they run into each other in town. But Cordelia will leave when Fiona gets better, and return to the life she built for herself. Misty will go on.
She can tell Cordelia is thinking about her next move. “Are you trying to figure out my thoughts?” Cordelia says quietly, looking at Misty. “It’s scary how you know the way my mind works sometimes.” She adds. “Ditto.” Misty responds.
“Can I take you to Marie’s?” Misty speaks first after a short pause. Cordelia hasn’t walked away from her yet. She’s still talking to her. Cordelia smiles, and bites her lip. “Marie’s.” She breathes. “I haven’t been there in forever.” She whispers. “Yes, okay.” She agrees with a nod.
They each place their grocery bags in their car before heading toward the restaurant. The silence is less uncomfortable now, they can both breathe as they stroll down the street. It’s not suffocating them anymore like it was only minutes ago. Some moments between them, as Misty tried to catch her up on the gossip of the town, felt like they’d never been apart.
Cordelia used to describe them as twin flames. Their connection was deep and undeniable from the moment they met. She hadn’t noticed how blank her life had been before Misty stepped into it and changed it for the better. She brought a light into her life, a desire to grow. And Cordelia had done the same for Misty.
“Misty, get the last box, please?” Sylvie calls to her youngest daughter before stepping into the kitchen through the back door. “Yes, Mama!” She calls. Misty doubted she would ever get tired of doing deliveries with her mother. Her siblings told her she would eventually, and they all did once they got older. She was only nine years old, she would understand soon, they said. But Misty couldn’t imagine it. Not only did she get to spend time with her Mama, feeling proud that she got to help her ― she also got to discover the greatest places, parts of New Orleans she had never been to before.
(And the chef usually lets her try the desserts.)
Today they were delivering a fresh batch of fruits and vegetables to a new restaurant in town, “The Laveau”. The owner, Marie Laveau, was a childhood friend of Sylvie, who recently moved back into town.
Misty had spent all morning by her mothers' side, helping her pick out the best crops from their harvest. She wanted to impress the owners. They could become regular suppliers to the restaurant, Sylvie explained to her daughter. It would be good for their business and their family.
The young Cajun lifts the box into her arms and carries it inside, taking the back door into the kitchen just like her mother had. She places the box filled with a variety of herbs next to the others and glances around briefly, wondering where her mother had gone. “Mama?” She calls. She knows she isn’t allowed to go any further than the kitchen, she never has a reason to anyway. Usually, they would be in and out of the restaurant within minutes. But after waiting for five minutes, Misty decides she’s waited long enough and it was okay to look for her mother.
She ends up in the restaurant, there were a few doors left leading out of the kitchen. After she was unsuccessful in the storage room and the toilets, she opted for the one she had seen the kitchen staff go through. Misty looks around. There was no one in here either, and she kept walking, admiring the photography on the walls, dried flowers in golden frames grasping her attention. She enters the next room but that seems to be a dead end. There’s a staircase leading up to a locked door, she knocks twice but no one answers.
Misty sighs, growing worried. Perhaps she should go back to the car, maybe her Mama is already waiting for her. She’s almost out of the door when she hears a loud bang and… hissing? She turns around, fails to find anyone in the room with her. “Hello?” She calls out, brows furrowing. Silence. She waits. There’s a rustling from underneath the staircase, or in the staircase? Misty approaches it slowly, hands sliding over the wood until she feels a bump in the smooth wall. She pushes, and when nothing moves, she slides it to the side, revealing a small nook and… a girl?
The strange girl clutches a book against her chest, eyes pressed shut as she holds her breath. Misty has to hold back a giggle at the sight. “BOO!” Misty calls, making the girl yelp and jump. She almost hits her head on a step. “‘m sorry. Is ya head alright?” She asks. “You can’t just scare people like that!” The girl exclaims, trying to calm her breathing down. “How did you find me?” Misty chuckles, “I wasn’t looking for ya, but you weren’t exactly being subtle either. I heard the bangin’ and the rustlin’.” Misty explains. “‘m sorry I scared ya. I’m Misty.” The blonde girl smiles faintly, “It’s fine, I was worried you were Miss Laveau. Or worse, my mother.” She says. “I’m Cordelia.” Misty's smile widens. “Nice to meet ya, Delia. Are you playing hide n’ seek with your Mama?” She asks sweetly. Cordelia sighs, “Something like that. Minus the seeking. My mother holds her business meetings here and drags me along every time. I found this place a while ago when I was exploring, but no one knows I hide in here.” Misty nods, “I’ll keep your secret, don’t ya worry.” She promises. “Do you want to stay with me for a while?” Cordelia asks shyly. Misty nods enthusiastically. She was excited to have met someone to spend time with. She only ever hung out with her siblings, who were much older than her, they never wanted to do anything fun (or what Misty considered to be fun, anyway). Cordelia was only a year older than her, she finds out. They sit in the nook together reading for a while. Neither of them knows how much time passes.
“Misty!” The Cajun hears, “That’s my Mama!” Misty announces, lifting her head and rushing to the door but she turns back around “Hey Delia?” Cordelia raises a brow expectantly, looking up from her book, trying not to let the disappointment show that she already had to go. “Yes, Misty?”
“Do ya wanna be my friend?” Cordelia smiles at the girl. “I would love to be your friend.”
The hidden room and the nook under the staircase became their meeting spot for a while. Even when Fiona didn’t have any business meetings or Sylvie didn’t have deliveries for the restaurants, Misty and Cordelia would find ways to sneak into the restaurant ― they weren’t aware that Marie Laveau had noticed what they were up to long until the room became less empty ― an armchair in the corner, a shelf filled with old books of Cordelia’s favorite genre, an old record player that Misty spent hours on repairing, board games and one even day snacks.
“Sebastian! Pinch me now!” Marie exclaims as she spots the two women entering the restaurant. “I must’ve accidentally entered a time machine.” She places both of her hands on her hips as she walks towards them before engulfing Cordelia in a hug. Cordelia laughs, returning the embrace. “Marie, you look wonderful. You need to let me in on your secret.” She says with a wide smile, can feel Misty’s eyes on her. “Ah, don’t be silly.” They engage in small talk, Cordelia catching her up on her life and the reason for her visit in town. Misty gets them all something to drink and they sit down.
“When did you figure out that we were hiding back there?” Misty asks, her legs tucked underneath her on one of the benches. “I’m more interested in how you found out. I thought we were being so good at hiding.” Cordelia laughs, takes a sip of her iced tea. Marie smiles as she looks at the two women, shaking her head. “I found a book under the staircase one day. I left it there but a few days later I saw Cordelia leaving with it. Then I just observed ya, I can’t be fooled, girls.” She grins. “I can’t believe it was my book and not one of Misty’s countless bracelets. I still don’t know how you fit all of those on your arm.” Cordelia laughs, looking at Misty.
Marie watches their exchange with a warm smile. She rises from her chair, “Cordelia, it was lovely seeing you again. Don’t be a stranger.” She raises a warning finger. “I’ll leave you to it. Stay as long as you want, just make sure to close up.” She hums. The restaurant was closed on Monday afternoons, only open during lunch hours. Once Misty and Cordelia had reached a responsible age, Marie let them stay in their little safe space for however long they desired. She trusted them.
The two women bid Marie goodbye, smiling faintly at each other. “Thank you for bringing me here. I didn’t know how much I needed it.” Cordelia speaks quietly. “I had a feeling.” She replies. “Ya wanna go see?” She nods towards the door on the other hand of the room, right beside the bar. “It’s still there?” Cordelia asks, immediately heading to the room. “In all its glory.” The Cajun follows her, giving the other woman space to open the door and take everything in. “It feels like I’m entering a time capsule.” She gasps, grabbing one of the pillows on the armchair and smelling it. She lets herself fall into it, closing her eyes. Misty watches her, biting her bottom lip.
“I still come here sometimes.” Misty admits quietly as she sits down on the stairs. Cordelia looks at her, studies her demeanor. She doesn’t say anything, lets her take her time, gives her space to think. They never demanded anything of each other, no explanation. Sometimes they’d sit in silence for hours. That hasn’t changed. “It’s kind of pathetic, isn’t it?” Cordelia shakes her head. “Cordelia, I…” Misty inhales shakily. “It’s been so hard.” She tries to control her voice, but it comes out as a broken whisper.
“What’s going on, Mist? What’s hard?” Cordelia asks, putting the pillow to the side and joining Misty on the stairs, sitting beside her, knees bumping together. Misty’s attempt to steady her breath fails and she lets out a quiet sob, letting her head fall into her lap. “Mist…” The distance between them is forgotten as Cordelia's arms wrap around her, pulling Misty against her without any hesitancy. They sit like this for a while.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Misty tries but Cordelia shakes her head. “No. We don’t do that. We don’t.” She says. “You don’t apologize for this to me.” Misty brushes her fingers through her hair, nodding.
The urge to tell Cordelia everything is strong, she wants to share it all with her, but she doesn’t know how much time the woman was willing to spend with her. And she doesn’t want to spend it all drowning in self-pity, feeling sorry for herself.
“Is it okay if we stay like this for a moment?” Misty wonders out loud, and feels nervous as she looks into Cordelia’s eyes. Part of her expects her to say no, draw a line, but her smile is gentle as she pulls her close to her again, presses a kiss to Misty’s hair.
“Of course we can.”