Chapter Text
Chapter Eight
It was Hecate’s birthday and her big fortieth. She wakes with a lump in her throat. She wondered what Pippa had in mind tonight. There was no plan or said surprise, however, Hecate felt something out of context. Luckily, no student ever found out about her birthday. It was a day she hated celebrating and Ada knows this. They treated the day as normal and this year it fell on the weekend. Hecate spends an extra hour in bed, rolling around and her mind over thinking. She wished she could relax and enjoy the comfort of her own bedroom. Hecate knew something would be going on with Mildred, somewhere. Climbing out of bed, she stretches and heads to the shower to refresh. Hair and clothes all sorted, Hecate makes her way downstairs and to Ada’s office. The older woman’ eyes lit with happiness once Hecate walked in.
“Happy Birthday Hardbroom” she announces, standing from her chair and placing the newspaper aside.
“Please, don’t get up for me Ada” Hecate replies coolly. This day was, again, not to be celebrated.
“But it’s your big Four-Zero Hecate. Can’t we at least celebrate it a little?” Ada puts her reading glasses down aside. Hecate lets a heavy sigh, shoulders slumping and her fists clenching beside her.
“Pippa will be over to see you, I’m sure” She added, sitting back down and continuing to read her morning newspaper. The door opened with crash, Dimity rushing through to give Hecate a hug. The older witch put her hand up before the P.E teacher could touch. Dimity’s smile faded a little, retracting herself from the surprise hug she had been planning all morning.
“Happy Birthday Hecate.” She says with hesitation. Hecate nods her head and walks over to Ada’s desk, placing a hand upon it.
“Thank you Miss. Drill, alas, I do not celebrate my birthday and wish everyone to act normally” she insisted. The P.E teacher didn’t need to be told twice, turning to witness Gwen and Algernon enter with balloons and a cake that Algernon spent most of the morning making.
“Happy Birthday Hecate” They announce in sync. Hecate rolls her eyes and looks over to Ada whom is hiding behind her newspaper. It was her fortieth after all. Algernon passes over the cake with the most terrible handwriting Hecate had ever seen. She half heartedly smiles, looking at the older wizard. He’s beaming from ear to ear, obviously proud of his work. She quickly blow out the candles and they all cheer. Hecate lets out a deeper sigh, taking a step back to allow Algernon access the cake.
Ethel knocks on the open door, looking around at the commotion.
“Yes, Hallow!” Hecate snaps, walking up to the door quickly and half closing it on herself before the student could walk in. Ethel is shocked by Hecate’s sudden movements.
“Is it someone’s birthday?” She asks politely.
“It has nothing to do with you. Now, what is the matter?” Hecate replies coldly. Ethel thins her lips and straightens herself, proud about what she’s going to say.
“It’s Mildred, Miss. Hardbroom. She’s at her antics again” She announces with a smug look upon her face. Hecate sighs, disappearing and appearing looming over Mildred. The young student is with her friends coming up with a plan. Maud and Enid freezes, looking up at Hecate.
“What is it? I’m sure we will get away with it” Mildred says with confidence.
“Get away with what, exactly Mildred Hubble?” Hecate’s voice is intriguingly low. Mildred jumps, turning around with almost fear in her eyes.
“Urm… To see if we can get out of…”
“P.E Miss. Hardbroom” Enid finishes the sentence for Mildred. Hecate squints her eyes, pursing her lips a little and a little hum escapes her lips.
“Hecate, now, now. Leave the children to be children” Pippa calls from beyond the corridor. Hecate turns, rolling her eyes and leaning away from Mildred. The girls looked relieved seeing Pippa.
“Did you know it’s Miss. Hardbroom’s birthday today” Pippa says with a bright smile.
“I’m sure they didn’t need to know that” The theory of students not knowing was now out the window.
“Happy Birthday Miss. Hardbroom” they all said and Hecate disappears. Pippa gives a gentle laugh, winking at the children. She disappears to follow Hecate. She’s in her room feeling over whelmed. Why can’t people just accept and understand Hecate’s boundaries. Pippa arrives with a beaming mischievous smile.
“Why did you do that?” Hecate said aloud. Pippa’s smile turned into a frown.
“You know I hate celebrating my birthday and you walz in telling every person you see” she added, almost pacing the room. Pippa gently places the large beach bag upon the floor, walking to Hecate and stopping her mid-movements.
“I’m sorry Hecate, I should have thought before acting” Pippa replies calmly. Hecate looks anywhere but the woman in front, still worked up.
“I have a surprise?” She offers, moving her head with Hecate’s to catch her eye contact.
“I thought we could do something together, alone, to celebrate?” Pippa rubs her arms. Hecate eventually slumps her shoulders, walls breaking down.
“Fine” she replies, eventually. Pippa wide smiles returns and walks over to the beach bag. It was filled with all sorts of different things.
“Would you like to venture from here or stay in the chamber?”
“I’d rather stay here. I can’t go far and the children tend to venture themselves away from the castle” Hecate said, nervously. After the incident before, she didn’t want to go through another. Pippa understood and asked Hecate to close her eyes. Once they were closed, she magically transformed her chamber into a deep woodland.
“Okay” Pippa requests with excitement. Hecate opens her eyes, mouth gaped a little.
“Pippa…” She breaths, looking around the room which filled with birds singing, warmth of the sun and trees surrounding them.
“It’s something I had been working on. It lasts an hour or so but I believe it’s quite amazing” Pippa explains, taking Hecate’s hand. Hecate knew this was modern magic. These types of magic, they never expanded upon. Hecate allowed Pippa to slide her hand into her own, looking around at the realism of magical room.
“I got a blanket and some food. I thought we could have our own birthday picnic” Letting go from Hecate’s hand, Pippa approaches the bag and takes out the items inside. They’re similar foods to the first picnic- Hecate didn’t complain. Laying on the blanket, Hecate opened the bottle of wine.
“Where are the glasses?” She asks, peering through the bag.
“I thought we could go ‘ole school.” Pippa replies with a smile. Hecate lays back onto her elbows and take swigs of wine.
“Isn’t it too early to drink?” Hecate soon realises. Pippa shrugs, taking the bottle from Hecate’s hand to help herself.
“I want to say thank you.” Hecate says, softly now.
“No one has ever done this for me before” she added, taking the bottle and having another swig. Pippa brings a strawberry to Hecate’s mouth.
“You don’t have to thank me. I wanted to do this, especially making up the time I let you down” she replies, watching Hecate take a bite. Pippa licks her own finger as the juices run down, causing Hecate to blush.
They lays beside one another, feeding small pieces of food and drinking from the bottle. The hour passed quicker than Hecate wished. Her heart sunk a little. She was forty and never explored anywhere except the own castle grounds. Hecate knew about the jungle or the beach, alas, she never got the chance to touch it.
“Pippa” turning to face the blonde as the image was fading away.
“Yes Hecate?” She replies with a smile, passing the bottle over.
“Could you do different scenes? Like a beach with water or a hot dessert… I’ve never been able to experience it” she asks quietly. Hecate wasn’t sure when she’ll be able to experience these places. Pippa gives a laugh of excitement.
“Of course I can. I worked the last few weeks getting the woodlands. I have to think really hard for it to work out clearly. I can’t see why not” she replies and Hecate smiles. Pippa hasn’t seen happiness in Hecate in a long time. It must be hard being cooped away like Rapunzel. She wanted to give Hecate all that she could- even after her release from the bond.
“I must get back” Hecate says quickly as her chamber came back to reality.
“Why so soon? It’s the weekend” Pippa replies, stroking her arm with her hand and soon pulling Hecate into her embrace.
“Just stay with me a little longer, please?” She hopes. Hecate brings her lips to Pippa’s, half rolled on top. Pippa kisses her back, her free hand reaching up and cupping the brunettes cheek. Hecate tastes of strawberry’s and fizzy wine. Their tongues began to intertwine, fingers beginning to grip clothing as the passion ran through their bodies. Hecate knew she would need to get back, despite it being either her birthday or weekend. Ada will need her. With how much Hecate wanted to continue the passion of her lover, she had work to do. Slowly, she releases and manages to kneel in the awkward dress.
“I really have to go now but come over tonight. I’d rather not sleep alone” Hecate suggests with a lopsided smile. Pippa leans on her elbows, her face dropping a little. Hecate got instantly defensive.
“Don’t worry about it” she snaps, managing to stand and sorts out her dress.
“Hecate, please don’t be like this?”
“Like what?” She asks coolly.
“I’m just asking you to stay but whenever I seem to ask you, you have plans. Although, you can appear without consulting me first. It’s getting rather tedious” Hecate explains with frustration. Pippa manages to stand herself and takes Hecate’s hand, kissing the back of it.
“I’ll be here tonight”
“Don’t out of pity, Pippa” Hecate snatches her hand away.
“I will be here tonight, not out of pity, because I want to be” she replies calmly. Hecate lets out a deep breath, calming herself down and nods once.
“Whether I say don’t bother, you’re going too anyway” Hecate replies, defeated. Pippa’s smile grew a little wider, kissing her cheek affectionately. Pippa disappears, leaving the food for Hecate to finish off. The brunette sighs heavily, tidying herself up and heading out of the door.
____
“Was there a surprise?” Ada asks, whilst they were alone. Hecate smiles briefly.
“There was and it was kind of her” Hecate replies swiftly.
“But?” Ada pushes, her glasses down her nose.
“There is no ‘but’ Ada, please” Hecate replies, sipping her cup of tea and keeping it close to her lips. Ada slumps in her chair a little, picking up a biscuit to eat.
“I understand you find it difficult to trust people Hecate. Pippa is trying and I believe she won’t stop until you fully trust” she explains with a mouthful. It caused Hecate to scowl, frowning at the unpleasantness.
“I believe she won’t either” Hecate replies, finishing her cup of tea and disappearing. She knew Ada was going to press further and further. Hecate wasn’t ready to express the feelings she had or say them out loud. Being alone is the best solution to not cause any issues.
Nightfall came quickly and Hecate did her rounds to make sure the lights were turned off. Mildred, of course being the last student. Her shoes clipped against the floor as she walked, lantern swaying side to side as she walks through the halls like the expert. Opening the door to her chamber, she notices Pippa laying with barely any clothes on.
“Oh Merlin” Hecate says, placing the lantern down.
“When I said to come over, I meant for a lovely cuddle and possible sleep” she blows out the light and approaches the bed. Candles from her room flickers against the blonde’s body. She is beautiful and ravishing in the clothing she’s in. Hecate just wasn’t feeling it tonight.
“What plans did you have instead and tell me the truth?” Hecate asks, turning to sit on the bed. Pippa approaches her, beginning to kiss up and down her neck.
“Just a few drinks with some of my friends. But that can be arranged another time” she replies against her neck. Pippa slowly unzips the dress, massaging the skin that was exposed. Hecate leans into Pippa’s shoulder, letting out a small whimpers as the stress lift from her body. The brunette didn’t feel bad about Pippa cancelling her time. She wanted her to herself tonight- especially on her birthday. Hecate had some cake that Algernon made. It was surprisingly moist and tasteful. They spoke about another year passing and Hecate reaching the age of maturity- although Hecate believed she was already there. Pippa’s lips began further down her back, kissing the rows of spine that exposed to her.
“I want to make you feel good.” She mummers against Hecate’s pale skin.
“You already do Pippa” She replies, pulling the sleeves down.
“But, really feel good”
Hecate stands and turns, pushing the dress down all the way. She steps out of it and Pippa smiles.
“Keep the shoes on, that’s hot” she teases and Hecate rolls her eyes. The brunette steps out of the shoes, climbing onto the bed and laying down with Pippa. The blonde kissed her neck again, moving along her chest. Looking up at Hecate, the woman had fallen asleep. Pippa leans up and kisses Hecate’s lips, covering her body with the duvet and snuggling in beside her.
“Goodnight Birthday girl”