Authors:ceria Rating: PG Summary: Takes place right after this, Gideon talks to Meg and Fabian. Disclaimer: JKR owns all, we're just playing in her universe.
Still frustrated with Kingsley when he left, Gideon was glad it was early enough that Fabian would want to go out. He didn't want to be alone. That meant a bar, since Fabian was always willing to pull a girl.
Apparating to his own flat first in order to shower and change, Gideon threw a couple things into an overnight case. He kept saying he would buy extra of certain items and leave them at Fabian's, yet never did. It felt too much like an intrusion into his brother's space, not that Fabian minded. Gideon was the only one with personal space issues.
They had a general understanding when they took witches home that they returned to Fabian's and not Gideon's home. It wasn't very often either of them dallied with Muggles, though they lived in a slightly mixed area. Fabian had a guest room, which was where Gideon slept, but he also kept his Auror equipment in there. Too many explanations were needed for the robes and other things to explain to a Muggle. Not to mention Fabian didn't like Gideon casting Confundus on them the morning after - he thought it was rude.
Stepping out of the shower, he heard someone in his kitchen. Knowing they had agreed to meet at his brother's, Gideon quickly dried himself without shutting off the water. He threw on the pair of clean trousers, picked up his wand, and silently made his way down the hall.
Holding it out, he grinned and let it drop to his side as he heard a soft female voice singing along to the WWN.
"Hello, Meg," he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind and swooping her up. She wiggled in his arms, laughing, until he set her down. Throwing her arms around his neck as she turned, Meg greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.
"To what do I own this honor?" he asked as she playfully slapped his bare chest.
"Fabian Floo'ed me not twenty minutes ago."
"Are you joining us tonight?"
Shrugging, she only said, "You know he leaves those decisions up to you."
Gideon glanced over her shoulder and saw the whiskey bottle and two glasses sitting on the counter. "This isn't necessarily a social visit, is it?"
"He was asking questions about you and the boy."
Rolling his eyes, Gideon said, "He has a name, and it's not boy."
"I know, only teasing, but honestly, Gideon, he's suspicious."
"There's nothing to be suspicious about; there's nothing serious going on."
Meg laughed loudly, wrapping one hand around his forearm, "Snogging is serious to your brother."
"Okay, okay," Gideon relented, "There's not much going on. I'm behaving admirably."
"In other words, you've done nothing to get you thrown into Azkaban?" she asked, watching his face seriously.
"His father wouldn't agree," Gideon answered.
"And Fabian?"
Gideon moved them closer to the counter without letting go of her and leaned against it. Tucking her head under his chin, he mumbled, "He'll castrate me if he finds out."
"Not funny, Gideon."
"Do you hear me laughing, Meg? I follow the interpretation of the law; Fabian follows the spirit of it. We differ in that opinion."
"The interpretation? More like your interpretation of it."
Gideon shook his head. "The law states no intercourse with minors. Intercourse is defined as penetration."
"And the spirit of it?"
"No intimate relations with a minor that could be misunderstood as sexual. In other words, don't touch 'em."
"Fabian will castrate you, will he?"
"I've broken no law but his."
"And Kingsley's father?"
"He'll help Fabian, then probably make me eat it."
"Eww! Gideon!" Meg pushed away and slapped his chest. Smiling as he flinched, she said, "That was uncouth."
Nodding in agreement Gideon only said, "But true."
"I've not met the Shacklebolts," she said softly.
Finally letting go of her, he poured two whiskeys and handed her the half-full glass, "You'd like them. They're all pureblooded and strongly opinionated, and the friendliest family I've ever met. Maura, the mum, sat at the table with her husband, father-in-law, Moody, Fabian and myself and took the men to task for berating some family member who's gay."
"Was Kingsley there?"
Gideon took a drink, shaking his head, "No, he was using the Floo, making a date for the following day with some girl."
That surprised Meg and she looked at him askance, "The half-dressed one from Fortescue's?"
Grinning, he shook his head again. "Some other bird."
"I'll have to remember that the next time he glares at me."
"I have a feeling young Kingsley is used to getting his way; he'll just think you're being bitchy."
"He's playing you, Gideon, no one can have it both ways and not give his partner the same leeway."
"Partner?"
"Well… whatever. You're not dating him. He's taking advantage of you."
"Well of course he is, he's sixteen and spoiled."
"Yet you've gone back for more."
Gideon threw his head back and laughed. "He's fun. Most men are so boring I can't stand much beyond get in and get out."
"Gideon Prewett, you are a dog."
"And he's hot," he shrugged his shoulders as if that answered all the questions she could ask. "I like baiting him."
"What are you going to tell Fabian?"
"Nothing."
"That doesn't work, and you know it."
"Okay, I don't plan on telling him anything for a few months. By then, Kingsley will have had his birthday and Fabian can't say anything beyond I'm an idiot."
"And should he learn the truth prior to that?"
"Curse you for even thinking that, Meg."
"Someone has to be practical, Gideon."
Sighing, he knew she wouldn't give up until he gave her an honest answer, because she was his friend and wanted him prepared.
"I don't know. Our interpretation has always differed, for all that we're brothers and best friends."
"How did you get out of it last time?"
"Last time?"
"Right before your sixth year, one of the three things Gideon Does Not Speak Of."
"Oh. That time."
He took the empty glasses and rinsed them out, conveniently turning his back to her.
"Don't shut me out, Gideon."
"Interpretation of the law," he muttered.
"Say again?" Meg gently took his arm and turned him around, settling herself against his chest.
"Same issue we would have now. Our version of the law differs. Fabian made me guilty by association; Dumbledore didn't agree."
"I didn't know Dumbledore was there," she said, surprised.
Nodding, Gideon only said, "He was, and I was thankful for it in the end. Fabian and I rarely fight, but we both lost our temper. It was horrid."
"I can imagine. What are you going to do if he asks?"
"What I always do, tell the truth."
Accepting that, Meg stood up on her toes and kissed his cheek.
* *
Since Fabian was an Auror, Gideon couldn't Apparate directly inside his brother's flat. The anti-apparition field covered the whole flat and part of the hallway outside. Fabian lived in a flat surrounded by other Ministry of Magic employees, something Gideon couldn't fathom, but didn't mention.
Personally, Gideon would prefer to - and did - live far away from everyone he knew. It wasn't like he spent much time at home, but when he did, he wanted to be alone. In the end, Meg decided to not go with the brothers to the bar, which was probably the best choice, Gideon thought.
He Apparated to the alley behind the flats and walked up the staircase. Greeting his brother, Fabian didn't waste any time being polite.
"What in hell is going on?"
"I thought we were going out to a bar to find a nice pair of witches."
"You sure that's what you're looking for?"
"What else could I be looking for, brother?"
"Someone a little younger, or a little more male." Gideon looked at the partially empty bottle on the counter and the used glass. He wondered how many Fabian drank before working up the nerve to ask about Kingsley.
"I don't usually like them young, it's a waste of time."
"Usually?" he picked up the glass again.
"Whatever is bothering you, Fabian, just ask," Gideon put the bottle away.
"What are you doing with him, Gideon?"
"Making friends."
"What else?"
"Since when do I mix my friends and lovers? That is what you're implying, right?"
"He'll get you thrown into Azkaban."
"I'm not doing anything illegal, brother mine."
"We both know we define illegal differently. I know his father, for Merlin's sake. Do you know what Mac will do to you if he find out you're corrupting his son? You'll beg for Azkaban before he's done with you."
"Drama, Fabian."
"This isn't a laughing matter, Gideon. You work for the Ministry of Magic; he will work for the Auror department if he passes all his NEWTs. You're involving your brother and another Auror - his father - in this foolish pursuit. For sex you could get anywhere?"
"I'm not laughing, brother."
"So there's nothing to worry about?"
"You needn't worry, Fabian."
He opened his mouth twice more, but didn't ask any more questions. Gideon could see the frown ticking at the side of Fabian's mouth, a sure sign he wanted to ask something else, but held his tongue.
Relieved that Fabian finally dropped the subject, they walked to the bar near the flat. It was late enough that most of the regular drinkers where there, filling the bar space. Fabian and Gideon took a table in the corner, just watching the room as it filled.
This bar had no dance floor, no half-dressed men who were looking for a quick lay with another man. He watched the wizard at the bar for a short time, and then remembered where he was and with whom.
Damn, he wanted to go to Shaft. He'd have to remember to ask Meg if there were any other places she could suggest, or take him herself. He wouldn't ask her to go to an all male club with him.
It wasn't strictly a wizarding bar, but there were enough Muggle repellents on the door to discourage them from coming in. When two young women walked in, Fabian didn't waste anytime inviting them to join them.
Fabian slid closer to the wall, letting the taller of the two witches sit with him. Taller than Gideon, her long black hair hung in waves down her back. Introducing herself as Lydia, she motioned her friend to sit with Gideon. The young woman, about Meg's height but with chin length brown hair, said her name was Renee. She had just moved to England and taken a clerical job in St. Mungo's and was living with Lydia.
Three hours later, Gideon was lying on his stomach, sprawled across the extra bed with Renee curled against his side, sleeping. She had been happy to oblige him for some time.
Gideon was a little nervous, thinking about the implications of what Fabian had said earlier that night and Fabian's actions in the bar. He had always been more attentive to women than Gideon, but this was excessive. He wasn't a tactile person like Gideon, yet he hadn't taken his hand off her all night. From what he could see, his brother might be smitten with Lydia. Smitten meant spending time more with them, something Gideon didn't want to do.