All Things Aside {Theo/Scott/Lori} [PG-13]

[Oscar Flynn G7]

((This PG-13 thread may contain homosexual references. Please read at your own discretion!))

Snow. Falling crystals of ice raining down; it was freezing, raw and whipped at cheeks mercilessly. But… it was snow! There was not as much as you might have expected for winter, but there was certainly enough. People would be leaving to go home that Christmas and the grounds were empty; almost everyone was inside packing their things. All but two boys. The first tall and dark, the second shorter and light. When they left the castle you might have thought they were just friends. But a second glance might show you the way their shoulders ‘accidentally’ jostled the other’s with every step, the passing of cheeky, affectionate looks, and a movement- the taller boy leaning over to brush a snowflake from the blonde’s nose. In response the smaller boy didn’t do the same- instead, he tackled him. They tumbled as a dark mass of wrapped-up limbs through the snow. They ignored the fact that every time their faces touched snow the feeling brought about a sharp, painful sensation; they were having too much fun to even notice the scratch. Their hands were warm inside thick gloves and theirs bodies swathed in wool and waterproofs. Their laughs, bright and childlike with their comfortable happiness, made it even more evident they were alone when only their own voices laughed back in echo. They continued to lightly tussle for a few minutes. Although their voices were mocking, taunting tones, their actions and movements were gentle beneath it all; neither wanted to actually hurt the other.

Finally Oscar broke the play-fight, ending it by seizing one of his boyfriend’s earlobes (carefully) between his teeth. Their movements froze and Oscar grinned as Theo’s eyes glanced up at him, his breath visible in the air. Both were breathing in shorter, sharper bursts as a result of their fast movements. Letting go of the earlobe with a giggle, Oscar rose and offered his hand to the boy below him. Big mistake. As he pulled and transferred the weight onto his back foot the slippery, icy snow beneath his boot gave way. The two fell once more into the white swirls. They laughed hard - despite the hard fall and quite bruised bottoms. This time Theo rose first and helped Oscar up, which proved much more successful than their last attempt. The two straightened up still chuckling and automatically brushed the snow from each other’s coats without thought, fingers skimming over bundled limbs. Oscar flicked some from Theo’s hair and in return the Ravenclaw ran a finger across Oscar’s jaw bone, where a long line of snow had melted. “Uhh.” The Gryffindor looked at his boyfriend, eyes twinkling like the snow tumbling around them. “I’m cold; wanna go back? We can find somewhere to warm up…” Maybe get out of these wet jeans? The unsaid comment hung between them and, not needing a reply more than a smile, Oscar began stumbling happily through the snow back to the castle with Theo close behind.

It didn’t take them long at all to find an empty classroom in the castle. They left wet footprints as evidence of their route but Oscar forgot about whether or not the mess mattered and what Filch might use to put him in detention this time. The room they found on the third floor was warm; it had obviously been used for a meeting or club of sorts just moments before.The orange embers in the fire still burned, casting a dark red glow on the wooden desks surrounding. Bringing them higher and hotter with his wand (well, he attempted to and succeeded only with a better incantation, courtesy of Theo) Oscar shut the door gently and slowly unbuttoned his coat. He threw it and the heavy black scarf from his neck across the room carelessly and ambled to the front of the room. With all windows and doors shut the room was heating up fast with the fire, and their warm bodies and wet clothes made specks of steam crawl across the glass in the window. After absently running his finger through the effect to leave a clear smiley face in the glass, Oscar walked back to where Theo stood and smiled lazily at his boyfriend. Although their argument about Oscar’s cigarettes was still fresh in his mind he had succeeded in disguising this and didn't let it change his expression, turning his attentions to the warm fire and beautiful boy before him. In truth he was still not completely settled with the ‘agreement’ they had seemed to reach; but Oscar was not about to bring it up again. Not now, when he had much more important things to do...

“You know when you laugh really hard, your nose crinkles a little just...” he gently tapped the area just above the bridge of Theo’s nose. “-here? It’s… cute.” Oh, Oscar... He just called Theo cute. Which the boy obviously was; he was the cutest damn thing to hold a wand. But Oscar actually said the word ‘cute’ in all sincerity. Grinning at his own lame attempts to ‘woo’ his boyfriend he skipped the whole ‘wooing’ part altogether and kissed Theo quickly on the mouth. It wasn’t a very hard kiss but the pressure was there, as always with Oscar’s kisses. His left hand slowly reached up and brushed ever so softly against Theo’s right ear before letting the blonde locks fall through his fingers. They were alone and Oscar had wanted to feel his boyfriend’s lips again; it was only appropriate to bring such a delightful activity around as soon as possible. Murmuring completely incoherent words into Theo’s lips as he took a slow breath, Oscar’s right hand fingered the bottom hem of the Ravenclaw’s shirt gently, his knuckles skimming hip bone as he did so. His eyes flickered from slightly chapped lips to perfect blue eyes and back again, making the journey twice before closing as he pressed forwards again.

((Mmm 'tis short. I'll add Scott&Lori to the title once we're a few posts on. I apologise about the major G-moding too! Please say if you have a problem with this, it just kinda... happened. XD))

[Theo Darke]

((Short, y'say? xD;; And I do apologise for replying too early lol - I can't help it. >< Aha.

Oh, I couldn't stop. >< Bite me. :P Hah.))

Theo loved snow. He preferred summer to winter, but no other period in the calendar caused his excitement to multiply as much as Christmas season did. The moment he'd seen the flurry of flakes past his bedroom window, he had sought out Oscar. All thought of packing his trunk and asking after his best friend was thrown to the wind as all that occupied Theo's thoughts were snow and Oscar. Normally he would go for a leisurely walk with Lori when snow fell on Hogwarts - maybe make a snow angel or two and have a giggle - but this year was different. Oscar was Theo's boyfriend and he would be damned if he didn't share the experience with him.

Upon finding Oscar, the two boys wrapped up warm and left the castle, excited but carefully toning their grins down in case passer-bys began to question why Theo Darke was spending so much time around Oscar Flynn, and why both boys could never stop smiling around each other. Theo was still cautious, more so than Oscar. He was more concerned about being discovered; he was, after all, forcing himself to lie to his best friend, and his selfish streak demanded Oscar's attention all to himself. Theo, having experienced the glare of the limelight since the first few weeks of entering Hogwarts, knew that attention wasn't desirable most of the time; not when you wanted privacy, and that's what he wanted with Oscar: time alone with each other, revelling and loving each other. Theo didn't want intruders in their relationship... He knew it was selfish, but Theo had convinced himself it wouldn't last forever. One day he would have to break the truth to Lori, and hopefully she would forgive him. Then, very much in the same way as Theo had done with the news of his sexuality, he would let the rest of his clasmates know. Theo knew Oscar didn't enjoy hiding things from people - neither did Theo himself like it much - and at least, then, Theo could flaunt his boyfriend to the whole world. He was extremely proud of Oscar - well, most of the time - and he wanted to show that in the open. Just not yet; Theo needed more time.

Theo's thoughts about Lori and his friends disappeared the instant their feet hit the grounds, snowed under by layers of pure white. His face lit up even more (if that was even possible) at the sight, and he and Oscar began making their way across the area, leaving two trails of footprints behind them. Theo was looking up at the sky, where gentle snow was beginning to fall from, and was caught off guard when Oscar's hand extended to brush a snowflake from his nose. The gesture caused Theo's heart to swell, and his instincts, itching to touch Oscar too, gave him the motivation to tackle Oscar to the ground - albeit as gently as possible so he didn't hurt him. Theo fell onto Oscar ungraciously and chuckled, but before he knew it, his boyfriend was 'fighting' back, and Theo was caught up in a whirlwind (or rather, snowstorm) of arms, legs and snow. Theo laughed breathily through most of it, combatting Oscar almost half-blind, and eventually he gave up, lying back and letting a triumphant Oscar bear down on him with his trademark loving grin. "Don't get so cocky now, Flynn," he teased.

Oscar evidently didn't want to stop, though. After a few more minutes of getting wetter and colder, Theo felt a familiar tingling sensation by his ear: Oscar's warm breath caressing the shell, and his teeth nipping softly at the lobe. Theo's movements froze, his body taut as his eyes fluttered shut. "O-Oscar," he warned in a low breath, though an irresistable smile pulled at his lips. Oh, Theo wanted to kiss Oscar senseless right here, right now, but he knew he couldn't - not in this open environment anyway. Oscar eventually pulled away and stood up, planning on helping Theo to stand too. However, the slippery surface caused the Gryffindor to fall onto Theo again, causing them both to laugh. Finally they were both standing, after Theo had given Oscar a hand this time. They helped each other get rid of the snow lining their clothes and faces with loving gestures, Theo's finger caressing the smooth edge of Oscar's wet face. At his boyfriend's suggestion, Theo grinned again and nodded. This was another moment where he just wanted to stand on his tiptoes and press his lips to Oscar's, even though they were both ice-cold. But, he restrained himself, and followed Oscar obediently back into the castle.

The room they found was warm and cosy, and Theo was thankful for it. He peeled off his outer layers and flung them over some desks and chairs. Then, he used a quick spell to dry his and Oscar's clothes, as well as helping his boyfriend ignite the hearth's flames. Theo watched Oscar in silence as he meandered by the window, drawing a picture along the frosty glass, and smiled at his childish but still attractive antics. Theo recalled just about a week ago when he and Oscar had been arguing fiercely during a late night, and was relieved to be back on good terms with his boyfriend again - even though the argument had, Theo knew, mainly been his fault. He hadn't been able to help himself, though; the knowledge that Oscar smoked had upset him, more than he realised. He had been shouting and half-crying until he had calmed down and thought about things logically, rationally. Theo was rarely impulsive, so it was quite a feat for Oscar to reduce him to blinking away tears - and not from being too sentimental. Although the incident was still quite recent, Theo had settled into the usual routine again with Oscar; they had to resolve the issue of cigerettes one day but... not now; not during this loving, peaceful time when Theo could just have Oscar all to himself...

Theo smiled up innocently at Oscar as he ambled back towards him. He wondered, as his boyfriend gazed down at him with those dark, mesmerising eyes of his, what he was thinking - were his thoughts focused on Theo and Theo alone? When Oscar commented on his nose he laughed, savouring the light touch of Oscar's fingers against his face. He had noticed quite early on that the Gryffindor had a fetish with touching his eyes, nose, cheek, mouth... Maybe it was something about his face. Theo himself loved Oscar's hair; loved running his hands through the soft long tresses. "Cute?" Theo raised a challenging amused eyebrow. "If anyone's cute it's you, Oscar Flynn. Do you know that when you smile, your eyes light up like... lights." Theo smiled fondly, leaning in and staring straight at Oscar. "Really beautiful, mesmerising lights..." he added, trailing off in a soft, seductive tone of voice.

When Oscar diminished the distance between them and kissed him, Theo's eyes automatically closed, relishing the familiar and yet still wonderful feel and taste of his boyfriend. Every time they kissed it was like a brand new experience; Theo's head knew well that the sensation, the euphoria, was not a novelty anymore, but even so, he could never get sick of it. Kissing Oscar was addictive... The more he did it, the more he couldn't stop doing it; the more the thought of never being able to do it again frightened him. It frightened him more than the thought of Oscar finding out about his mini Scott crush - which would, inevitably, lead to the former anyway. Theo had become familiarised with Oscar's way of kissing now - hard, passionate, charged with electricity and emotion - and he also was very aware of how sexual Oscar was. There was no denying it, and although Theo had been wary of this at first (the time at Llanryhstud surfaced in his mind each time and he would grin and blush just thinking about it), he had become completely comfortable with Oscar's forwardness. One would assume in their relationship that Theo would be more dominant, since he was the openly gay one, whereas Oscar knew nothing about it. However, Oscar's personality broke through the sexuality confusion - even though he had never done this with another boy before, it was so natural for him. Theo, on the other hand, had never been very forward... but that had all changed around Oscar.

Theo grinned into the kiss as he felt Oscar's fingers thumbing his shirt. It was so typical of his boyfriend, it always made him smile even if he was distracted by Oscar's lips at the same time. Kissing him harder, his hand skimming through brown hair like a habit, Theo waited a moment longer before his own fingers began tugging at Oscar's shirt. He didn't extend his arm under it; eventually the top would give way, so why struggle? Oscar had Theo's shirt over his head in no time - the piece of clothing abandoned on the floor or over a desk, no doubt - and vice versa, Theo pulled Oscar's off with a grin. "I'll never get sick of this," Theo murmured half to himself, half to his boyfriend as his admiring eyes ran over Oscar's chest; this was another reason to want to show off his boyfriend who was all his... Theo delved in for a kiss again, and as usual Oscar did the leading, which was fine by him; it was Oscar who deepened the kiss, Oscar who made the first move with the removal of the clothes. Still, as Theo was backed gently into the wall, his spine shivering against the cold stone, he was the one who broke the kissing - for good reason, though. His arms circling Oscar round the neck, thus pulling him closer against him, Theo began kissing Oscar's exposed throat, sucking at the pulse with gentle passion. Theo and Oscar were a weird pair: Theo was so careful and Oscar so instinctive, but somehow their opposing personalities melded together into one. Theo's tongue ran across Oscar's smooth skin, completely preoccuped with his boyfriend and, for once, not on whether or not they would be caught.

It was a mistake Theo would later come to regret.

[Oscar Flynn G7]

It was amazing really if you thought about it – which Oscar did, often – that he and Theo… Theo and he… well, that they were even attracted to each other, let alone were head over heels in love with each other too. But it was not odd. Wasn’t unusual or wrong, awkward or even that unfamiliar – in fact it was the opposite of all those things. It was completely normal and utterly right, the most comfortable thing in the world to him now. It was not so unfamiliar either, more in the sense of being unknown, because there were so many things they didn’t know about each other and their bodies – but they would soon learn, he had no doubts about that. They had their whole lives ahead of them after all. Plenty of time to work out why on earth they had waited six years to talk to each other, to kiss each other… and Oscar thinking girls were the only things he could ever kiss all the while! Now, the thought made him scoff and scold his past self for such foolishness. He couldn’t even think about not having Theo now. Couldn’t imagine what it would be like visiting the Room of Requirement in the evenings with a girl. Now that was unusual, wrong, awkward, unfamiliar to him now. And he had welcomed the change completely, welcomed Theo into his life entirely, welcome his kisses in every respect. Some might have spent a longer period of time in a confused, lost state… but not Oscar. It had happened. He had fallen in love with a guy. Why waste time mulling it over when he could be kissing his one love?

He was soon more than happy to be against his boyfriend again and chuckled at the words in disbelief – Oscar Flynn, cute? He’d been called handsome, striking, attractive… but cute? Despite the ‘fluffyness’ of the words Theo initially spoke the tone in his final line was different and made Oscar’s breath quicken and his eyes widen slightly. That Theo should see him that way – all that stuff about lights and smiling… Theo really thought of him like that? It sent a warm, happy shiver all the way through his body. He was loved. Not just by his parents or good friends… but by his boyfriend. Possibly the best feeling in the world. Indeed, Oscar found himself struggling to think of anything in the world that could top this moment now – with their bodies so close, able to hear each other breath, their lips just seconds away. He actually tried to think of something better. Beating Slytherin in the House Cup? Seeing his great-grandfather again? Nope. Two things that should have topped the charts but they fell through, defeated by this moment. Oscar was tempted to break the silence with those three words that he knew to be so true. I love you. It was so clear. I love you, Theo! But he resisted, showing the affection in his brown eyes instead.

When their lips did meet Oscar watched Theo’s eyelids shut slowly, and for a short moment he took in the blonde boy’s light eye lashes gentle brushing the skin beneath his blue eyes. The view was blurred because they were so close; Oscar still marvelled for a second at how beautiful his boyfriend was. He didn’t marvel like this for long – he too closed his eyes and his focus switched from sight to touch. To the feel of his boyfriend’s lips hard against his own, to Theo’s smaller torso leaning like the perfect puzzle piece into Oscar’s, to his legs – one between Oscar’s, one on the outside to support him. His arms reaching up and his hands running through Oscar’s hair. He’d realised before long that Theo liked his hair. He, too, liked his hair more than he would admit. Although he normally forgot all about photoshoots he took part in for his mother once they were done, a particular shoot a year ago for teen jeans had demanded on a new hair style for him. He had complained, but after looking in the mirror once, the complaints stopped. Since then Oscar wore a headful of brown, feathered hair proudly. And obviously it had paid off if boys liked running their fingers through it so much…

He felt the lips against his own twist a little and before long his were mirroring the smile happily; he wasn’t even sure why Theo was so amused but the smile was contagious and he couldn’t help but follow suit. When Theo pressed against him harder, lips tightening and neck stretching upwards, Oscar responded the same way. He loved being the more dominating one of the couple – that was just how it always worked. But when, now and then, Theo decided to take the kiss up a notch or place this hand there first or unbutton the first layer… those times worked just as well. I’ll never get sick of this. The words followed after Oscar tugged Theo’s shirt clumsily over his head. Once that useless slip of material was on the floor he had full access to his boyfriend’s chest beneath him; and believe me, he liked that. When his own top followed Theo’s on the floor and the breathless words reached his ears he grinned widely. “I’ll never get sick of you.” It didn’t occur to him then that the two comments were completely different. Theo’s might have suggested that Theo loved the kissing, the physical pleasures, another guy’s body. Oscar’s reflected his love of kissing Theo, the physical pleasure with Theo, Theo’s body. Would Theo repeat the words he had just spoken to another guy with brown hair and a Quidditch-toned body one day? Oscar didn’t think about the words then because his mind was definitely on other things; the fact that he hadn’t pushed the kiss forwards in the last three seconds.

To make up for lost time he ducked his head and captured the Ravenclaw’s lips in his own again. As he did so he seized Theo’s arms and raised them higher, while his feet slowly moved the couple forwards until they hit the wall. Oscar felt Theo’s shiver in his boyfriend’s chest, humming through his own as if Theo’s cold was his. Without breaking the beat or the kiss he shifted their position until there was a sloping wooden beam behind Theo. Oscar pushed his love into this as their naked chests and naked lips pressed together with more passion and heat than Oscar would have thought possible – hadn’t they just been shivering out in the snow? All memory of that was lost. There was just the here, the now. He released Theo’s arms from his grip as he felt them move to curl around his neck. The movement stretched his love’s chest, the muscles that were there showing clear. Suddenly Theo pulled his lips from Oscar’s and for just a second the Gryffindor was bewildered. But the lips soon found another area to focus on – Oscar’s throat and neck. He groaned involuntarily. Theo knew that his weakness was that area and so paid close attention to every section of skin. His lips started the movement, caressing the skin lovingly. Oscar arched his head back and to the left in response, his eyes shut tightly. Soon the pressure increased and he felt teeth scrape lightly against his collar bone before Theo left a trail of kisses up his throat. These reached his chin and threatened to creep up his jaw bone – but before they could Oscar let out a deep growl from his chest and stopped the movement. He seized one of Theo’s hands in one of his, while the other gripped the right side around his hip bones.

“Theo." His muttered word was breathless as he pressed even harder into his boyfriend. Everything stopped – all movement, all motion, all sounds. Brown eyes seized blue and the connection didn’t break. For what felt like forever everything stopped; frozen in time just to let the two students love each other. Their chests heaved and Oscar felt Theo’s entire body wanting so badly just to surge forwards once more; but his grip against his hand and hip held firm. In the warm orange glow from the fire their naked torsos shone, a thin sheen of sweat just visible as the light played across their limbs. Before Theo even knew what was happening Oscar brought them both to the floor – he, of course, was on top – and pinned the Ravenclaw down with both hands on his forearms. He didn’t kiss him at first. There was no playful twinkle in Oscar’s eye and his grip on Theo was hard – almost too hard. “Love.” The Gryffindor addressed the smaller boy in an almost inaudible tone. And it all returned with that word. Oscar dove again, this time planting his kisses and gentle nips across Theo’s throat. Instead of going back up like Theo’s trail had his went lower, gently passing over his boyfriend’s chest with every kiss and going further down still. His back muscles tightened and his shoulder blades jutted as he held himself above Theo, unable to do anything else. His mind, lips, teeth, tongue, hands, arms, legs, thoughts and his heart - most of all, his heart - were no longer his.

[Lori Leigh R6]

What was more beautiful than the grounds during the winter months? Nothing, except for maybe the color pink. Lori squealed loudly when she peaked through the window to discover the winter wonderland below her. True, the grounds had been like this before, but this snow was pristine and white. It was perfect. So maybe Lori got a little too excited by the little things, but that was part of her charm. The little things kept Lori happy and while some people told her this was naïve, Lori told herself that it was a gift. This made her never forget the things in life that made her laugh her high pitch laugh or smile her huge smile. Lori shook out her blond locks as she dashed to get dressed. She wouldn’t waste this heaven on earth not even for a second. This was her snow. Okay so maybe not but Lori told herself that. Naïve yes, but living in a dream world? Okay maybe yes again. But Lori was suited for this world of fantasy. Or at least she thought that she was. It was a shame that Lori would soon fall off her white horse and land in reality.

Lori pulled on her white ski cap and then tugged on her boots. She took one last adoring glance at the snow from the window before leaving her dorm. Now a days, she knew better than to look for Theo. He was always running around, avoiding her even. Lori didn’t even have the chance to ask why. She didn’t even want to think that he was avoiding her but it sure seemed that way. It did bother Lori, annoyed her to the core actually. But luckily she had someone to occupy her time already. He just wasn’t the boy that she wanted to occupy her time. Still, Lori was happy in her way. So maybe Scott wasn’t her knight in shining armor, but he there for her. She imagined him the silent protector. Still, Lori only imagined one guy by her side kissing her and saying ‘I do’ in the end and it wasn’t Scott. But, Lori was past that or she was very good at hiding it. Lori was with Scott and Theo..well Theo was Theo and lately he had been anywhere but with her. She didn’t know why he was acting this way. Both Scott and Lori noticed the strange behavior. It bugged Lori, but she felt slightly better when she thought of how maybe Theo was jealous, but then Lori regretted feeling that way. It was a vicious circle and it was her life. Still, she continued this life and clung to Scott. Maybe what they had didn’t feel completely right to her, but she wasn’t going to let go. He was the only one that hadn’t left her alone as of lately.

Lori did feel comfort in the fact that Theo would be all hers for Christmas if he would finally be around her for five seconds. Of course the Leighs and the Darkes spent Christmas together. It was quite a nice affair actually. Everything would seem like the old days. Lori and Theo would laugh and listen to the three younger ones attempt to sing Christmas carols. It was nice. These were some of her favorite traditions and Theo wouldn’t abandon them, right? Lori shook her head as she waited like a lion waiting to pounce outside the Gryffindor Common Room, which was fitting. She caught site of the brown locks and giggled as she pulled him with her by his wrist. “Come on. The snow awaits!” She giggled pulling Scott down the hall. True the snow could wait for to her pack, but Lori wasn’t about to. This was usually the kind of thing she would do with Theo. They would go walk in the snow and Lori would be the first to throw a snowball. There fights only ever lasted seconds and then they would both make snow angels. But times had changed and even though Lori knew how she wanted her fairy tale ending to turn out, this was the present, this was real life. And currently, Theo was gay and not around and Lori had a boy. But the present would change for the happily ever after. She knew it.

Of course they didn’t actually throw snowballs. Usually Lori would have playfully thrown one right away but she had to remind herself that Scott wasn’t Theo. Maybe this was a good thing because Theo was well..gay. But that wasn’t why Lori had so much fun with Theo and why they were best-friends. As his best-friend she didn’t care that he was gay. But as a girl that loved him more than anything, oh she cared. She cared a lot. Finally the two ended up headed back to the castle. Lori’s cheeks were bright pink and her hair felt icy cold like it was freeze in an instant. Lori briefly pondered what an interesting look that would be while the two headed up the stairs. They chatted lightly. Lori asked briefly if Scott knew where Theo was. Lori brought up Christmas. This was light conversation. It defiantly wasn’t the kind of thing she would talk to Theo about because if she did, he would put his hand to her forehead and ask if she was crazy. If Lori knew someone, she chatted like there was no tomorrow. Lori liked Scott. She did, but she still felt that something was slightly off with them, but Lori was more than happy to look this over. She wanted to be happy and right now, he made her pretty happy.

Lori and Scott were strolling down the third corridor when they hear voices. Actually, Lori wasn’t quite sure what they were hearing but she was intrigued. She moved slightly closer to the door, dropping Scott’s hand as she did. In anyone else’s mind, an alarm would go off when they heard the heavy breathing, the muffled voices, but not in Lori’s. What it could be didn’t even register in her head. She glanced back at Scott before opening the door. It took Lori a moment to realize what was going on. There were two people very much making out on the floor. It took her another second to take in two male forms. And Lori was just about to shut the door when she recognized one of the boys. It took another second for her to clasp her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming something, anything. This boy was beautiful. He was slender, blond, and perfect in every way. He was her best-friend. He was her knight in shining armor. The boys weren’t just nearly crossing the line. Lori could see it in their eyes ,in their actions especially in Theo’s. Lori knew Theo so well. She had seen it in so many movies many of them with him. She had seen the look in so many eighty year old couples’ eyes. This wasn’t just a fling. This was love.

Lori finally removed her hand from her mouth. “Oh my gosh.” She mumbled giving a quick glance to Scott. She couldn’t read the expression on his face, but she wasn’t in the mood to try. She couldn’t think about anything but Theo, her Theo, with this boy. Lori knew him. Oscar Flynn was the vice captain for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. She didn’t know him personally though nor did she remember rumors of him being gay like there were with Theo. Scott probably knew him better. Now that Lori thought of it, Lori had seen him with Theo in the halls briefly a few times. But they would dash away so fast and Lori never thought anything of it. Lori shook her head. She had never felt so shocked, so betrayed. This was her Theo. He was hers! She wasn’t even thinking about how Theo was gay and this was normal; he would date guys. If she was a normal best-friend she would have thought of it that way and been happy for him. But she wasn’t a normal best-friend; she was in love with her best-friend. And for the first time ever, Lori realized something. He would never love her the way she loved him. He would never say ‘I do’ claiming her as his bride. He was never going to be the prince in her happily ever after. Her fairy tale that ended in this prince taking her away on a white horse was never going to happen. Fairy tale over.

Lori shook her head again. Words. She tried to form them a couple of times, but she couldn’t. Her eyes kept moving from Theo to Oscar, back and forth. For the first time she understood everything. She wasn’t in denial anymore. This was her reality. And in reality, Theo wasn’t hers. He was his. Lori was shaking slightly. Her thin legs were trembling. She didn’t know how to explain this. She couldn’t explain this. Lori could barely even think about it. She took one last glance to Theo. “I can’t..” She ended mid sentence and took off. Tears were brimming on the surface and she wanted to let them out. But she had to hold them. For once she had to act like an adult and keep them in. Lori kept shaking her head. She had been in denial of this for nearly two years, but she had fallen off her dream cloud. This was her reality and she sure wasn’t ready for it.

[Theo Darke]

Oh. This was beyond words; beyond everything he had ever known. This was ecstacy in its purest form and Theo let himself drown in it in his drunken stupor; drunk from Oscar: Oscar's skin, Oscar's touch, Oscar's lips. Theo let his boyfriend press his mouth against his again - desperate, passionate, I love yous - and reacted accordingly, his tongue pushing forward, his lips kissing fervently, his every nerve cell in his body calling for Oscar. Theo's mind tingled with dizziness and yet he felt more alive than ever; he was so sensitive to each touch, each slight movement Oscar's body made against his. Theo had never wanted anything so much. He wanted Oscar so badly he almost shook with his need. Maybe this was crazy, Theo thought, but if this was crazy then he would happily be crazy forever.

Theo arched his torso into Oscar's, his craving blood calling for contact, the heat rushing raw-red to his skin. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes half-lidded as his body did the talking, the searching. His unsteady but firm hand trailed down Oscar's jaw, but his arms were soon knocked into the wood behind him, spreading his breathless body wide open for Oscar to bear down upon. A throaty chuckle from Theo was silenced as Oscar whispered soft, incoherent words into his mouth as he sealed their lips together again. He barely even noticed when Oscar pushed him onto the floor - didn't register the ever-present chill down his spine, didn't notice anything about the world around him. All Theo knew was Oscar; Oscar; oh Oscar.

Theo smiled at Oscar's address, basking in his warm body, his dark eyes, his glowing love. He could feel his boyfriend clinging to him, as though he would lose him even though he was pinned beneath his larger body, unable to move. His smile widening, Theo closed his eyes from the beautiful sight before him and let his fingers trail along Oscar's side, brushing his nails across the sweaty, sensitive, hot surface. "I want you," Theo whispered, his head bending back and relishing. His eyes reopened and he stared into Oscar's soul. "I want you. All of you. Only you." His boyfriend's mouth began to travel lower, past his neck, past his chest, and Theo's breath grew shallower with each centimetre. His lips parted silently as his grip found Oscar's shoulder and squeezed, urging for more, more, more. How could Theo stop this?

The answer to the question came in the form of a loud, horrified gasp of. "Oh my gosh." Theo's eyes snapped open and his head looked up to see - "No, no, absolutely no way" - Lori Leigh standing in the doorway, right beside no other than her boyfriend Scott. Both his friends stared at him and Oscar, entwined in heat and passion, all arms and legs and lust. Expletives Theo would never consider uttering ran through his head as she stared, in shock, right back at the two other closest people in his life. "Oh no." Oscar still hadn't noticed their intrusion, but Theo's lack of response and frigid body caused him to look up and spy their intruders. His frown was nothing compared to the horror on Theo's face; because the truth was out.

"Lori--!" Theo began, but before he could even say anything but her name, she was gone. She ran. She ran away from her best friend and Theo knew this was it. This was the moment he had been waiting for ever since he had kissed Oscar; ever since he had decided this was his secret, not to be shared with anyone, not even the best friend who had been there for him all of his life. Without thinking, Theo pushed Oscar off of him, his boyfriend completely forgotten. All he knew was he had hurt Lori... and the look on her beautiful face had said it all. It was all Theo's fault. Scrambling up in frantic haste, he searched for his shirt. "Dammit!" he muttered angrily when he couldn't find it, eventually locating it on the floor a few metres away - how could Oscar fling a piece of garment so far? - and throwing it over his cold body.

He ran to the door, but only before saying to Oscar, "I've got to... I've got to explain. I've got to go." Scott stood there, rooted to the spot and unresponsive. Their eyes met and Theo's curved downwards in a silent apology. He didn't have time for Scott - when had that changed? Shaking his head, Theo abandoned the two Gryffindor boys - the boys who meant so much to him - and ran after the girl who he had once shared all - yes, all - of his life with.

[Oscar Flynn G7]

His heart rose as he neared the floor with Theo. Both of them were soaring, their heads and bodies higher than ever before. Both breathless, they moved together with perfect timing, heads ducking and limbs shifting without hesitation. Almost as if there was a bubble around them – nothing else mattered now. The bubble didn’t let in the sounds or sights from outside. It held just Theo and Oscar and the love they had for each other, now emphasized since they had acknowledged the feelings and emotions. To Oscar this was the best magic he had come across in all his time as a wizard. He felt his boyfriend arch beneath him and smirked before retreating for a moment, teasing, playful, his dark eyes glittering. But even he couldn’t stay away even like that – soon he returned as breathless and as insistent as before. The two moved further down and the bubble pulsed. Theo’s words slipped into the sounds of their kisses and Oscar paused, his grin wide. He was level with Theo’s stomach and kissed it once before replying, his voice low. “You already have me.” But Theo’s words made his eyes narrow with his desire, and his heart pump faster beneath his bare chest.

They slipped into the flow from before smoothly as the Ravenclaw gripped Oscar’s shoulder. His mind raced and he felt alive, more alive than ever before. He would happily switch any Quidditch win for this moment, any Quidditch cup or broom or game, just to hold Theo like this whenever he wanted. Thinking about that- about having his boyfriend in his arms whenever he desired – made him smile inwardly. He kissed the smooth stomach beneath him once more and raised his eyes, catching hold of Theo’s with his own. For a moment everything stopped, frozen in place. Oscar saw his own feelings and wants – no, needs – reflected directly back at him from his boyfriend’s expression. He openly did the same, displaying as much love as he could in one look. But he wasn’t about to abandon his former task to have a staring contest with Theo; slowly, his fingers stroked down the Ravenclaw’s sides, crossing gently over his bony hip bones just above his jeans.

But he didn’t go any further. He wanted to – he definitely wanted to. But he couldn’t. The bubble the two boys were in burst with a jarring sensation that froze Oscar’s movement. His eyes snapped up again, jumping to Theo’s instead of turning to see who had interrupted them. Because of this he was able to watch the emotions show in his boyfriend’s eyes. Oscar didn’t care at all that Lori and Scott – a quick glance told him it was them – had walked in on them. If anything he felt relief. And if Scott did have any feelings for Theo, like Oscar had originally thought, then surely this would show him how the feelings were completely unrequited? Oscar hoped so. As he looked into the blue eyes he thought he knew so well, he saw the pure shock and horror written there. His heart dropped as well as other things, his mind freezing, the heat and passion in the room already turning icy.

Oscar heard his boyfriend’s best friend speak, surprised words dripping with hurt, before she ran. His frown deepened – what was she doing? So she walked in on her friend and his boyfriend… she knew that Theo was gay, and it shouldn’t matter that much to her that Oscar seemed to be. So what was it? Unless… Merlin, why does everyone love my boyfriend?! Oscar stared at Theo’s eyes without wavering, wondering if he knew. He knew Theo would go after her even before the Ravenclaw pushed him off and leapt to his feet. What he didn’t understand was why.
“Just leave her, Theo!” He had meant to speak calmly, rationally, but the words came out as if he were snapping at his boyfriend. He bit his tongue in irritation, watching Theo snatching up his shirt. With dark eyes Oscar listened to his boyfriend’s parting words. “Explain what?!” The angry tone was back again. “You don’t have to answer to anyone.” His words fell before he realised that Theo was already gone.

“Oh.” The single syllable dropped. He was still leaning heavily against the beams of the room, still half naked, still breathless. A frown creased his forehead and deepened as he realised that Scott was still in the room. Instantly his mood darkened. He felt the need to hit, break, smash something – anything. But it probably wasn’t a good idea to break Scott’s face, and Oscar doubted Theo would like that much. He turned without warning and slammed his fist into the wall behind him, eyes closed. The force didn’t do much to the hard wall but the pain numbed his hand, his head, his heart, just as he had wanted it to. Biting his lip Oscar watched the beads of blood spotting the surface on his knuckles. Without looking at Scott, he spoke.
“Did you know your girlfriend was in love with Theo?” Again the words came out as if spat, but this time he didn’t regret it. With slow movements he picked up his shirt and fingered it for a moment, before leaving without another word. Not once did he look at Scott.

[Scott Ryder G7]

Epiphany. It seems like it would be a good thing, right? Wrong.

Have you ever had one of those time when you look back and everything finally makes sense? The pieces of the puzzle somehow fall into place almost magically, despite the fact that you had spent so much time agonizing over the simplest connections before. It's on of those "Aha!" moments, but the thrill of figuring everything out is terribly marred by the implications of your realization. You wonder how you could have been so stupid before. Why didn't you piece it together sooner? Why weren't all the obvious signs so obvious in the first place. And then.... then you sit there in your dazed stupor. You're not sure how you are supposed to feel. The answers were right in front of you the whole time, but you either blatantly ignored them, or you were too clouded to see them. It's not a good feeling. In fact, it's a terrible feeling of stupidity and helplessness. If only you had realized it sooner, perhaps you could have saved yourself, and others, from all of the messy results that were to come.

Everything seemed to happen before Scott could even let the events process in his mind. One moment, he was naively enjoying a simple stroll with his girlfriend, the next moment he was left alone in a room, echoes of disbelief and anger swirling around him. Scott was speechless. The only thing he could do was to allow his brain to recover from the giant storm that had just erupted after a long time coming. Theo was gay. Scott knew that. Theo had a boyfriend. Now that was something he didn't know. Then again, why hadn't he realized this before? The signs were there, weren't they? Why else would Theo have been avoiding Scott so much. And then there was Lori. Surely she would react with surprise when finding out that Theo was having a relationship behind her back. But her reaction; it was... it was exactly what Oscar had suggested. Lori was in love with Theo. And why hadn't Scott noticed that one either? Again, there was so much to suggest it that he now felt stupid for never seeing it.

He slumped to the ground in thought. His face held a dazed look of confusion. It was as if his whole world had just been flipped upside down. Two of the people he had come to know so well in the last year turned out to be hiding secrets from him. Secrets that would change his life as he knew it. Secrets that made it impossible to return to where it all began and start all over again. At least that's how Scott felt in that moment. Who knew where Lori and Theo were now, but something inside of Scott made him feel no urge to go find out. It was so much easier just to sit there alone. Like it used to be. Maybe this was why he had never made friends so readily in the first place. Maybe the past year had just been a big mistake. All he knew now was that he had no clue what to do. He cared so much for Lori and Theo, but the events of the past few minutes would change everything. How could he live with that? He was just getting used to how things were now, and everything was going to change. Everything as he knew it was thrown out the door.

Now that's what you call a terrible epiphany.