Let's Have A Kiki (Kyra)

[Gideon Prewett]

September 1979

Typically, he tried not to get involved in these things. He had become a sort of master at it over the years in fact. See nothing, say nothing, express only complimentary opinions, that sort of thing. It kept him out of trouble and allowed him to stay neutral in their tight-knit friend group. But this, this was getting out of hand. At first Fabian's relationship with Kyra had been well, cute. They were young, it was all fun and snogging and sneaking into muggle villages when they shouldn’t have been. They were all now very much adults and he had grown very fond of Kyra and he just couldn’t stand the way his brother was treating her. And to now be going on a date with Mary? It was too much. He had been cross for days and had finally decided that the only thing for it was to meet with Kyra and be sure she was well.

Of course, his loyalty was to Fabian, it always would be, so he wouldn’t utter a word about their history. The one she didn't know about. The one where they told her about magic, let her experience it, bring her into their world, and then wipe her memory. Again. And again. He would keep that to himself. This was just a meetup between friends. They would have dinner and chat and then they would head up the high street to the bar, have some drinks, and some karaoke -Kyra loved karaoke- it was going to be great. They would catch up, they would kiki and in the end, he was confident that he would be able to move past this disagreement. It was his brother's life, not his.

The muggle restaurant he was waiting in was bustling and he watched in amusement as a nearby group of teens tossed fries into each other’s mouths. If the guys were with him they would probably be doing much the same. That would defeat  the purpose of this night though, no matter how much he was missing them in the moment. Just then Kyra entered and he perked up, hailing her with a wave and a smile. “Hello bunny.” He said, standing to embrace her warmly. “You look great. How are you?”

[Kyra Thatcher]

"Giddy," Kyra drew out fondly, releasing the bloke from their tight hug only to hold him at arm's length to survey him properly. The boys had been out of the academy for a handful of years now, quite long enough for her to start seeing them as the serious and professional protectors of the people that they were - but Kyra doubted that she'd ever fully get there. That was one of the many perks of remaining friends with those you'd met in your teen years - you knew them when mistakes were low-stakes and could be laughed away once out of earshot of your parents, when cowlicks hadn't yet been tamed and footraces were the end-all-be-all of determining the winner of an argument. You could remind them of who they'd been and who they were when they forgot. It was sometimes tricky to reconcile little Gideon Prewett - as if she'd ever not had to look up to find his eye - of gilded, golden summers past with the man she knew today. He was still, by far, one of the kindest and most genuine men she'd ever met. But he could get that faraway look in his eye, same as Fabian and all of the Bones's, and a face familiar enough to draw blindly was suddenly one she didn't know.

She'd usually poke gently, curiosity getting the better of her - but not too much, if they weren't game. And she'd know quickly if they weren't. It was maddening when they weren't able to tell her exactly what was going on, but it was part of the deal that she'd had to accept. These old friends from Barking, all of their lives were going on paths different enough from her own that she'd never entirely understand what it was they were trekking through. The boys and their undercover work, Phoebe and Ed and their three little ones. Their responsibilities were mighty, and weighty, and despite her best efforts, typically shouldered without her. And so Kyra was always just a little bit worried in the back of her mind, with nagging fears for them she couldn't quite shake and couldn't quite name... But their paths intersected on lucky nights like this, and when these rare opportunities came, she took them with both hands. Speaking of - satisfied, she let go of her old friend and lost her hands in the depths of the pockets of the gorgeous borrowed jacket.

"Good to see you still in one piece, sweetheart," she said, the endearment for the twin of her most significant ex coming easily tonight. She'd tried to keep her friendship with Giddy going as uninterrupted as possible over these growing pains of years. It was usually a simple thing, yet nigh impossible sometimes - they could be striking and sudden mirrors of each other, Gid and Fabs, in manner and habit and all. And when things were fresh, when the timing was just right, with the quirk of a grin he could unintentionally stir something up within her that wasn't fair to him. Moments passed, though, and friendship endured. "And thanks for noticing," Kyra continued with a sly grin, working her shoulders to call attention to the jacket, not that it needed much help. "A Liz's Closet original. It needed some showing off, and you gave me the perfect excuse. Never better, Giddy, never better," she mused as they entered the queue for a table. "Well - will be better after a bite, and when we've determined our set list. What do you think, get everybody singing with us with a little how do you do," she quietly sang the ditty as she grinned up at him, "ooh-hoo, la-la, la-la, la-la-la-la?"

[Gideon Prewett]

By God, no one but Kyra ever called him that. Giddy. It was born from years of familiarity and playfulness and Gideon had grown very fond of the nickname in recent years. His grin grew as they embraced, feeling in his gut that this meet-up was the right call. They needed to be brought up to speed on each other's lives and Gid needed to be sure that she was happy and healthy and thriving. Kyra was the type of person who shone very brightly, and though she didn't know it, her light seemed dimmed for a bit…after she forgot everything. At first glance, she was as blinding as ever and Gideon's smile matched that. She appraised him and he did the same to her and he was pleased. Kyra was nothing if not fashionable and looked very well indeed.

Her comment about him still being in one piece threw him off momentarily. For just a second she could have been talking about the war, the Wizarding war, not the muggle one. She could have been talking about his work in the Order, for a moment, she knew, again. But that wasn't right, Kyra thought they were coppers, she knew nothing of the magical world. Inwardly he sighed, outwardly he chuckled. "Bad guys won't get me, promise." Not the bad guys she was thinking of at least. The evil in their world had every chance of taking him out, but tonight he wasn't thinking of that. Tonight he was going to kiki with his Kiki, it was going to be nothing but fun and he would wash away sad thoughts, probably with alcohol.

And karaoke! “Please, I would love nothing more than a full bar sing-along. To start with.” He hinted, wanting tonight to be so much fun they’ll remember it for years to come. They could start with some How Do You Do, they could possibly end the night in another country, anything was possible. After so many years, Kyra shouldn’t be surprised at anything that happened when she was with any of them. Sure, he liked his books and his sunsets but he also liked to fly, and run and test the limits of his imagination. Tonight he would be the later Gideon. “So how is Liz anyway? Haven’t seen her in a while now.” he asked as they moved up the queue, fingering Kyra’s coat. “Still has the most amazing clothes, clearly.”

[Kyra Thatcher]

If anything bad had happened to Gid, Fabs, or Eddie, she knew that she wouldn't find out at a meet-up like this. No - no, Phoebe would ring her as soon as she knew, and she'd meet her best friend at the hospital, or run over to the house to watch the kids for her, and she'd know. She'd know. But even so, it was heartening to see Giddy in the flesh, and confirm with her own eyes that he was alright on the outside. How he was on the inside, though, Kyra would always wonder. He had a heart of gold, and how he managed to keep it whole while doing what he did was something of a mystery. She'd heard from Phoebe about how Edgar could become withdrawn, and had seen him overcompensating more times than she could count. Fabian had kept much of his struggles to himself, even when they'd been together - or so she remembered it, and maybe it was just easier to remember him being secretive than it was to reminisce on the good. But everything didn't always have to be alright - the world wasn't alright, how could all of them be? - and while Giddy in particular was talented at smoothing things over, she hoped he knew he could still come to her if he needed a non-judgmental ear.

There was that flicker of something on his face, but he laughed it away, and maybe she had imagined it after all. "They'll have me to deal with if they harm a hair on your head," Kyra returned, linking arms with her old friend as they trudged up the queue. Gid was on board with the start to her plan for them at karaoke, and if they could pull off getting the whole bar to sing with them, the night would be theirs. And hopefully a few free rounds, if the crowd wanted to keep getting entertained by the almost-professional likes of them. Her grin was wide and bright, and it seemed that Gid was in the mood for a lighthearted night, and she was here for it. If he had something in particular he wanted to get together for besides that, he'd surely tell her soon.

"To start with? What've you got up your sleeve?" They moved up, and he admired the coat that deserved such attention, and Kyra gave his arm a squeeze. "Liz is fabulous," she preened. "She's doing even more behind-the-scenes stuff now, and the photos she's taken?" She blew a kiss to the world. "Gorgeous. You'll have to come by and see her sometime, and if she asks, please jump in and let her take a few shots of you. Her book can't just be her model friends and me," she laughed. If they could get Fabian to play ball too, Kyra was sure her sister could work some magic with both twins, and have something even more unique to showcase.

[Gideon Prewett]

“Well, if that’s the case, then I would be terrified if I was them. Bad guys beware, my Kiki kicks arse.” Inside he was cringing, outside he smiled genially down at Kyra, further reassuring her through his joking and easy manner that nothing too horrid was afoot. If she only knew, again. If his brother would only, but that train of thought was useless. Even if she did know, she would be useless in a battle with dark wizards and Gideon shuddered to think of their like anywhere near his eccentric, sweet muggle friend. She was an innocent piece of his childhood that he wanted to keep that way. And in that instant, maybe he could understand why his brother struggled so much. How do you choose the lesser of two evils? Perhaps, finding love could wait a little longer for the older Prewett twin, it seemed like a very complicated, emotional business.


As the queue progressed they thankfully moved fully out of potentially dangerous conversation topics and into more light-hearted chatter. This was part of what he loved most about Kyra, she made everything feel…well, normal. He got to slip into that person fun, energetic, goofball he loved to be, it made him happy and free. Tonight, he was planning on reveling in being free. “Oh, you know, we’ll see where the night takes us.” He said evasively, sending her a wink. There really was no telling what would happen when he removed the restraints of his daily obligations, nothing too outrageous, he would need Fab and Ed for that, they were a crew, and true mayhem ensued when they got together.

“Really? I mean not that I’m surprised, of course she could be good at it. Just that, she's been strutting her stuff since we were kids. Hard to think of her hiding behind a camera and telling me to pout my lips.” Gideon gave his best smoldering, pouting face for Kiki, wanting to hear her laugh. He was imagining her older sister half obscured by some expensive camera ordering him about their living room and into various, likely uncomfortable poses. On second thought, maybe he could picture it, Liz was always the bossy sort. “You never you, might end up there tonight. No better party than a house party said…someone…one time I’m sure. And if we do I will be ready for my modeling debut.”

[Kyra Thatcher]

The bloke sent her a wink and Kyra couldn't help her delighted laugh - he truly was the most adorable man on the planet, wasn't he? How he hadn't been scooped up yet was beyond her. Well - nearly. His closest mates were a pair of disparate examples, after all - the back-and-forth she and Fabian had so long been stuck in couldn't have done his brother any favors either, while she was proud of how far they'd come, normalcy-wise, in the last year or so - although she hoped Phoebe and Ed, Molly and Arthur too, could give him the hope of things working out. If he was interested, that is - and until those dangerous winks landed on someone who could partner with him in that way, she'd accept all the (brotherly) love he had to give and return it in full. 

"Well now, if I wasn't already tempted to call in tomorrow, I'm committed to it now. You free for a yes night?" The blonde couldn't remember the last time she'd had one of those with Gid - granted, that was half the point, but she knew it'd been some time now. Her university and his training years, perhaps? Tragic. The rules were simple - yes's only, no no's allowed. They all had used a clever turn of phrase here or there to negate another's suggestion, of course, to save them from themselves. With the rest of the Barking crew, the dares on such nights tended to escalate quickly, and such maneuvering became impossible as drinks caught up with them and imaginations ran wild. But Kyra was giddy herself just thinking of an endless night of harmless laughs with her friend, and grinned up at him as she gave his arm another squeeze. 

Speaking of - she laughed hard enough to draw peeved looks their way, but surely they changed to smiles themselves as the attention went from her to her friend's excellent modeling demonstration. While Gid was pulling a face, she knew Liz could set him straight and get some grand shots with him once he relaxed. She may be biased herself, but she couldn't be the only one who saw just how beautiful the Prewett men were. "Yes night," she trilled, "and you've passed your audition. I'm on talent recruitment, you know. You may be my first recruit, and she knows you already, but it counts." Still full of giggles as they reached the front of the queue and were directed to a little table, she put in an order of drinks and nibbles for them as they sat down. "Tell me something good, sweets," Kyra encouraged, flipping up her menu. "What's going on in your world?"

[Gideon Prewett]

Gid smiled down mischievously at his friend, pumping his eyebrows in excitement. “Honey, the whole reason I asked you out was so we could have a yes night.” It had been too long since they had really let loose and relaxed in each other's company. For him, he didn’t get to have nearly as enough fun as he used to. He guessed though, that that came with the whole growing up propaganda. Sure, he did his part to serve and protect, as was his nature, but that didn’t mean he couldn't be childish occasionally. Who better than to be childish with than his childhood friend and all-around rockstar, Kyra?

And maybe her saucy older sister? And who knew who else they would wrangle together by the end of the night! For right now though, it was him and Kiki and he had succeeded in making her laugh and gained her approval all in one go. “Excellent. I’m a natural. Liz will want to book me on the spot, but you know I’m very busy these days writing parking tickets. I’ll have to really think about it.” Gideon jested, managing to fit in no less than ten poses during his monologue before they made it to the front of the queue and were seated. He even sat pretty as K ordered.

Her next question had him pausing again and relaxing back into a normal atmosphere, because he could spiral back into the awfulness of their current social climate or the very realness of his job, no parking tickets included. Instead he smiled, it got easier to push those things away the longer he looked at Kyra’s genial face. “Same ole love. But I was thinking about maybe, possibly, it might be really nice, to have a dog. I really like dogs. I'm thinking about adopting one.” See, something wholesome, that wasn’t even a lie. He really did want a canine companion. Ed’s pupper was a peach and he wanted one to call his own buddy. “Same question. What’s new?”

[Kyra Thatcher]

"Yes!" The young woman almost squealed in her excitement, thrilled that they were not only on the same page, but had been since the invitation was extended. Giddy worked too hard, he deserved a spot of fun - especially if he was spending his days doling out parking tickets. While she had to laugh as his model faces grew more and more exaggerated, her brows shot high of their own accord. It was good to know he wasn't out there doing something dangerous, but he and the boys had joined the force to make their city safer - and his work days sounded as dull as her office ones, all to make just as little of a difference in the grand scheme. "You can't be serious. You went through heaven knows what at that academy, and they've got you watching meters?"

Table set and starters put in, Kyra smiled back at him, lighting up as he spoke. He really was an endearing fellow, wasn't he? "You would be a great dog dad, you should go for it," she encouraged. It would be good for him and Fabs to have a dog to take care of, to come home to, to love. While she had a horrid track record for even keeping plants alive, pet ownership was not the journey for her, Sadie had taken to the lads without missing a beat, and surely one under their own care would do the same. "You'll get one that can go on your runs with you, eh? I can see it now - the girls will flock even more when you go out, best prepare yourself."  

Shifting to get comfortable and propping up her chin as she considered where to begin, Kyra chimed, "Every day's a new day, sweets." Work was tedious as ever, no matter how she dressed up the ticking hours. And she was in a bit of a rut with her writing. The best of her songs came out of the highest and lowest of times, and while a year ago she'd been clawing her way out from the depths with far too many glasses of wine, broken pencils, and notebooks - she'd worked hard to get out what needed getting out to close that chapter of her and Fabian's story. For good, this time. And while she'd dated here and there in the months since, Kyra did worry, in the bottom of her heart, that she wouldn't again find what she'd had, chased, craved, with him...But there was band drama, reliably, and she figured that was as good a place as any to start. A few of the girls had turned over since its inception, as could only be expected as the gigs dropped off and lives grew more complicated, but the group and the joy of making music had a grip on her yet. 

"Well - Aisling, she's been our bassist since uni, I'm sure you'd remember her. Tall, always with the high pony dyed black, I tried setting you up a million years ago? She's moved back home to Cork with her fella. She suggested a friend of hers to fill in, at least for now, and we're a few practices in with her. We'll see how it goes - her name's Meg, gorgeous girl, whip-sharp - and wouldn't you know it, she has a Great Dane. Gentle giant of a dog, name's Eeyore, how adorable is that?" She leaned forward, all broad grin and bright eyes. There was nothing like prodding a few good people together and seeing what could happen, and as he couldn't say no... "If you're not seeing anyone, can I give you her number?"

[Gideon Prewett]

“It’s a job and someone has to do it.” Gideon said, throwing his hands up in mock defeat. If only she knew what he was really up to, she wouldn’t want him doing that either. In fact, he was positive she would prefer him to be a parking monitor if she knew. And she couldn't know, so a change of subject was best and Kyra took to it easily. He would have as well, who wouldn’t jump on the opportunity to talk about animals, weren’t they the best? He thought so, and a chat about a new canine would always be preferable to chat about work no matter the nature of the job. Work was work, boring. Dogs were fun!

Gideon could picture his life as his Kiki spoke it into existence and he found himself grinning. “Really? You think I would make a good shepherd?” That meant a lot to him, knowing she had confidence in his abilities to care for another creature. He wasn’t always so convinced in himself, hence why he didn't have a pup to love yet. “I mean, more girls, bah.” Gideon tossed one hand over to the side to show how much he did not care about girls. “I’m sure it won’t be the worst to have some prospects.” Alright, maybe he cared just a tiny bit. “But I’m more excited about getting a companion, someone to keep up with me on my runs like you said. I could teach them tricks, we could go on doggie dates to the ice cream parlor.” Okay, now he sounded crazy. Maybe he did need to find himself a partner, a human partner. Perhaps that was the reason he listened so closely as Kyra spoke about the going on with her band members, she was always game to set him up with one of them. Perhaps it was just because he loved to hear about his friends like. To know it was full and she was happy. Her band was a key factor in that and he was glad they were still going strong, even with some member switch-ups.

“Yeah, I remember her.” He commented, drawing up a mental picture of Aisling as she described her, and kicked one leg out to relax more fully in his seat. Naturally, he almost tripped a passing waitress but he yanked his foot out of the way just in time and got away with only a dirty look. He ignored that and focused back in on Kyra. Gideon didn’t need to focus too hard to catch on to what his good friend was getting at and he found himself smiling fondly. He so appreciated her for never giving up on him in the love department. He had avoided many setups, for so many reasons. Mainly because he had watched his brother struggle so much with his love for a muggle, they had both suffered because of it and Gideon did not want that to be his life. He had no wish to cause pain to another in that way, or himself. But…Kyra was so insistent and convincing…and a bloody Great Dane named Eeyore was honestly the coolest thing he had heard all day. He leaned forward as well to match her, now they were only inches apart, and he whispered as if they were now conspiring. “What if I just pop by one of your practices? When is your next one?”

[Kyra Thatcher]

Kyra heaved a great sigh as she removed the jacket, aligning the shoulders over the back of her chair, as her friend seemed utterly resigned to his non-adventures at work. He was right, of course - the job needed doing, and it made some sense for it to be the duty of a newer officer, even if she felt an almost-retiree would be better suited - and she was somewhat relieved that the worst flack he'd receive at his post was a dispute over a ticket. It was less dangerous - and glamorized - than the work he and the boys had envisioned. And while that wasn't the worst, not by far, he'd had dreams of changing the city for the better! Was he still holding them tight as he went meter-to-meter? "I know, I know," she agreed, grabbing one of his flying hands for a quick reassuring squeeze. "I just hope you get to do something that feeds you on the inside soon too. Don't tell me Fabs is doing the same?" Her brow quirked, an astonished laugh escaped at the thought. It was hard enough to picture Gideon writing parking tickets without losing his steam or his marbles, but Fabian too? If he hadn't torn half his hair out by now, or talked his way into a different assignment, she'd be gobsmacked.

Tickled, Kyra laughed as he spoke of becoming a shepherd, grin widening as he admitted it could be nice to have some prospects. Somehow still single? It really was one of the great mysteries, how no one had claimed this sweetheart. Or...perhaps Giddy was truly yet unaware of the draw he could have, if he wanted. She let her gaze wander to confirm the eyes she felt on their little table, and encouraged in a whisper, "Take a look around, love. Half the girls here - easy - wish they were in my chair. You've got prospects." Her companion went on, and her smile softened. She didn't want to always bring things back to his brother, not wanting to ignore their history but not dwell in it either, or make it seem like she was seeing him to get information on what Fabs was up to. And she couldn't help but wonder if Fabian wasn't around the flat so much anymore, leaving Gideon wanting a pup to keep him company? Maybe they were simply working different hours, she hoped? "You should do it," Kyra reiterated with confidence. It was a lifetime ago, anyway, that she'd advised against Pheebs and Ed doing the same - not that that had delayed them much at all, and things were so different then. "We can walk it together too, anytime, so long as you swear it'll be a walk, not a run."

Gid seemed to remember Aisling, and with any luck, would get to know Meg much better. That is, if the waitress he almost tripped up would let him see the light of day. Kyra sent an apologetic smile up at her as her friend considered the offer, and if his amiable smile was any indication - and it being a yes night besides - he wasn't about to let the opportunity pass him by. Even if he'd, more often than not, made excuses to wriggle out of her set-ups in the past. She bit back a giggle as he mimicked her position, his voice dropping into secrecy, and his idea was greater than she'd hoped.

"Taking that as a yes!" Kyra declared with glee, sitting back as the waitress returned with their pints and a basket of chips to share. "And that's even better - you're booked, three nights from now, alright?" She raised her glass to him, celebration to be solidified at a clink.

[Gideon Prewett]

With a warm smile, he gave her hand a squeeze in return, laughing off his lie and her worry over it. He hated this part but it was necessary. “I’m happy to serve wherever I’m needed. And come on, do you think the uppers would put us anywhere near one another? They aren’t that stupid. Last I checked Fab’s was on desk duty. Don’t ask me more, I have no clue what he did to get benched.” God this was the worst! But he hoped that they would stray away from this topic and luckily they did. He breathed an inner sigh of relief and smiled more naturally as they got to chatting about pups, a favorite of his. And girls. Another favorite/not-favorite.

Maybe he should look into getting both. But he couldn’t see himself looking for a girl, he could, however, easily see himself with a playful chap at his heels. He glanced around but couldn’t see what Kyra seemed to be talking about. He perked up when his friend encouraged his new endeavor. “Think I will. We can take him, her maybe, I’m going to go one of those mugg-shelters, animal shelters, so I’ll just have to feel it.” So many years and still he almost slipped up sometimes. “Anyway, we can walk them together, I promise.”

The conversation turned back to the topic of girls, but this time in a more specific direction, and without questioning it too much he agreed to meet Kyra and her band. Gideon leaned back with a nervous chuckle as his companion celebrated and the waitress returned. He always seemed to get himself caught up in the moment and making promises he could not always keep. This one, he would try his very hardest to keep and was looking forward to meeting Meg…he was probably more excited to meet her dog, but he would not tell Kyra that. “Alright, two hangouts in one week. Cheers!” he said instead, tapping his glass with her and taking a long swig. “You know, I’ve been practicing my tiny symbol playing, maybe I could join in a number.”