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+------ Thread: and the verdict is........? || blackbyrne (/showthread.php?tid=849)
and the verdict is........? || blackbyrne - Roisin Blackwood - 01-18-2026
30 September 1921
Afternoon
Third floor waiting room
Afternoon
Third floor waiting room
Words could not describe how hard it was for Rose to be in the waiting room while Gideon was on trial. She was positive that things would work out, of course, but there was still that small chance that things may not. That he might be carted off to Azkaban.
The thought churned her stomach and she frowned. Rose had brought books, papers to grade, and knitting to continue. None of it kept her mind occupied enough to not be stressed. She’d rotated through all of those things many times, never getting very far.
She’d paced more times than she could count, had probably walked a few miles in the little room she was in. Her nerves were frayed and she kept looking towards the door.
In her mind, the charges against Gideon were ludicrous and this should have been an open-shut case… something that maybe after opening arguments everyone looked at each other wondering why the hell they were there.
In her mind, it was the Headmistress and Minister who should take the fall for the events. They were the two in charge.
But Rose was not a member of the Wizengamot, and even if she was, she wouldn’t be allowed in the courtroom for this anyways.
Rose retrieved a cup of coffee and sat down, yet again, to continue to wait. How many cups had she had? She had no clue.
Deliberation, she thought, should take mere seconds. Surely they would be announcing that he was ‘NOT GUILTY’.
But if, in the small chance he was found guilty, Rose would be their worst nightmare. She’d finally found stability, someone who treated her the way she deserved to be treated, who loved Fiona as his own, and if that man was taken from her… well, that would likely begin her villain story.
RE: and the verdict is........? || blackbyrne - Gideon Blackwood - 01-19-2026
Not Guilty
It was hard to believe. There were times when Gideon, even knowing he was innocent, was sure they would come back with a guilty verdict. Thankfully, that was a nightmare he didn’t need to worry about.
Once the verdict was read and the customary handshakes and man hugs were done, Gideon said goodbye to anyone still waiting and rushed out of the courtroom. His father was fast on his heels. The waiting room was close, but felt like miles.
He needed to see Rose. Hug her. Hold her in his arms.
When he saw the door, just down the hall from where he stood, Gideon stopped abruptly. It was almost too good to be true, after all this time worrying, Gideon wasn’t sure how this was real. The trial was over. He was free.
A hand came up to his shoulder, squeezing as only a father could. “It’s over son, go get your girl. Just don’t forget your mother, she’ll be beside herself.” Rupert said with a chuckle. After all the stress they were almost giddy with happiness.
His feet moved, bringing him closer to the door, and there she was. Nervous pacing across the room, worry clear on her face. His mother sat in a chair against the wall, her leg bouncing, eyes red rimmed and misty. Knowing that he was the reason for their stress and sadness gutted him, but thankfully he would finally be able to take the hurt away.
Walking through the door, his mother saw Gideon first and burst into happy tears at the smile on her son’s face. Rupert went to his wife, hugging her close. Rose hadn’t turned around yet, still too focused on the pending verdict to notice them in the room.
Coming up behind her, he wrapped one hand around her waist and over her stomach. The other wrapped around her shoulder and crossed over her chest. She stopped as his arms brought her back to his chest, arms hugging her close. Bringing his lips to her ear he whispered just for her to hear, “Not Guilty.”
RE: and the verdict is........? || blackbyrne - Roisin Blackwood - 01-20-2026
Being so absorbed in her own thoughts, Roisin had all but forgotten that Gideon’s family was there with her. She didn’t think they’d blame her, and she would apologize later. It felt like her own life was on the line, and while she trusted the system, she didn’t know everyone on the Wizengamot. What if the Blackwoods had an enemy there? What if they had petitioned to get everyone to vote against Gideon’s innocence?
Up again – for the thousandth time – Rose began pacing again. She was fidgeting with her engagement ring, feeling almost like she couldn’t breathe the longer that she had to wait to find out her fiancee’s future. Her future. That of her daughter, and what they had been moving towards.
The sound of Gideon’s mother crying again was all the same – the woman had shed enough tears for the both of them. She didn’t look at her, or even acknowledge her reaction. She didn’t hear the footsteps behind her, or even sense that people had joined their small group.
A hand around her waist.
Rose came to an abrupt stop, finally blinking and seeing Rupert hugging his wife. She was crying.
The redhead was being enveloped, and his scent filled the air around her. Her breath caught in her throat as she leaned backwards against him – it could only be Gideon holding her.
“Not Guilty.”
Her eyes were closed now, but tears were still threatening to escape. She grinned and turned around, opening her eyes. Her blue eyes searched his, as if she didn’t trust his words. After a moment, she finally placed her hands on either side of his face and pulled his mouth towards her for a slow and passionate kiss.
“I can breathe…” she commented after breaking off the kiss. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close, her eyes closed again. Now is when she saw his father and his mother, along with Lavinia, celebrating the victory.
RE: and the verdict is........? || blackbyrne - Gideon Blackwood - 01-21-2026
Her lips were on his in a passionate kiss. They were in public, in the Ministry no less, it was highly inappropriate. He didn’t give a fuck.
“I can breathe…”
Having Rose crushed to his chest, no room to move, was exactly what he needed. He ran his thumb down her cheek, tucking hair behind her ear, sighing at her beauty. The sob from the corner caught his attention, forcing his eyes to move over the room. They were not alone. His mother, cried into his fathers shoulder, happy tears of relief.
Kissing Rose on the forehead, he pulled out of her arms and walked over to his mum, sitting next to her, pulling her into his arms. “It’s ok mum, it’s over. Cleared of all charges.” She clung to him, soaking his shirt with her tears. Words were jumbled, but her point was made, she couldn’t be happier.
Holding his mother in his arms, seeing the relief in his family's faces, he sighed with regret. “Thank you all for being here. I am so sorry I put you through this. It was never my intention. We can move on now, focus on the good things. Family, love… weddings.” With the last word, his eyes met the blue eyes of Rose.
They had been putting off the bulk of the planning, but now that he was free and clear he wanted nothing more than to marry the red haired beauty. Still holding his mum, rubbing soothing circles on her back as she took calming breaths, Gideon looked at Rose, love, happiness and relief radiating from him. A rare large smile graced his worn and tired face. He simply mouthed the words “I love you,” before his mom let out another sob.
RE: and the verdict is........? || blackbyrne - Roisin Blackwood - 01-25-2026
Rose didn’t care that eyes were on them. Of course this was inappropriate, but when was she accused of being appropriate? Just look at the fact that she had two children by two different men. Not only that, but her oldest was fatherless. Or had been, until recently…
She looked up at him, feeling lighter than she had in a while. She’d walked with him through this, especially after he snapped at her a couple of nights ago. And now, they had nothing to worry about. If he was called to testify at any other trial related to the Dark Tower incident, he was safe.
His lips were warm on her forehead and she reluctantly dropped her arms from him. As Gideon went to his mum, Lavinia pulled the redhead into a hug.
“...We can move on now, focus on the good things. Family, love… weddings.”
Their blue eyes met and she smiled, biting her lip as she looked at him. He mouthed I love you and she returned the sentiment. Yes, life could finally continue, and the future looked bright. The thought of how much he had changed her and her daughter’s life for the better was unreal; and she was thankful for it.
“Shall we get the hell outta here and celebrate? I know you two may want some time, but it would be nice to have a meal without this hanging over us,” Lavinia suggested with a smile and glanced over at Rose before looking at Gideon.
powerplay of Lavinia approved by me, her writer
RE: and the verdict is........? || blackbyrne - Gideon Blackwood - 01-25-2026
“I knew they would come to the right conclusion. Oh Gideon, I’m so glad this is over.”
His mother’s sobs were coming to an end. She looked as exhausted as he felt. The sheer amount of stress and overwhelming dread that he had been dealing with was crushing. Having this part of his life over felt fantastic, even if there were still trials to come.
While he hated having his trial first, he was happy now. It was over. Another deep sigh left his body, with it more pressure and stress was released. “Me to mum, me too.” He said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Shall we get the hell outta here and celebrate? I know you two may want some time, but it would be nice to have a meal without this hanging over us.”
All he wanted was alone time with Rose, but he would give them the meal. And when the meal was done, he was taking her to the apartment over Blackwood & Son’s and not coming up for air for the rest of the night. They had to be back at the castle tonight, but that gave them the rest of the day to… relax.
“Yes, a meal would be nice. Let's meet at the store.”
Walking towards Rose, the look of love and heat on his face told her exactly what he was thinking. His hands came to her face, pulling her in and kissing her passionately. “Is that ok Love? We’ll go to lunch, then head back to the castle around dinner time?”
Leaning in, he whispered in her ear, just for her to hear. “That will give us a few hours, just us.” Kissing her just behind the ear, his nose running along the nape of her neck.
“Jesus Gideon, get a hold of yourself. Let the woman breath. I swear, we raise you better.” He laughed, pulling Rose close, hiding his face in her neck as his whole body shook with laughter.
RE: and the verdict is........? || blackbyrne - Roisin Blackwood - 01-26-2026
Rose looked over at Gideon at Lavinia’s suggestion, honestly torn. On one hand she wanted to celebrate with his family (their family?), but on the other she wanted more than anything to be alone with him. Still, Lavinia’s excitement was contagious.
“Yes, a meal would be nice. Let's meet at the store.”
She smiled and nodded, agreeing that would be alright. He walked closer to her and she could see the heat in his eyes. She bit her lip as she felt the need to be alone with him right that second. But they’d be good. She could do it.
He kissed her passionately and she relaxed against him.
“Is that ok Love? We’ll go to lunch, then head back to the castle around dinner time?”
She nodded again, and then listened as he whispered in her ear. She bit her lip again, a blush rising to her cheeks.
Damn her paleness.
“Jesus Gideon, get a hold of yourself. Let the woman breathe. I swear, we raised you better.”
Rose couldn’t help but to laugh as well, wondering briefly if they could just reschedule food for maybe tomorrow. It was Friday, afterall, so they had the whole weekend. Perhaps he’d be less ravenous then?
“A meal will be good,” she said, wanting to add a comment about ‘making it quick’, but thought that’d be a bit too inappropriate.
Still, perhaps they could… arrive a couple minutes late to the store. No one would notice, right?