"A Danger Related Bonus" for "Sultana Diddler" Title: A Danger Related Bonus Author: Daffodil Plume (mindabbles) Recipient: Sultana Diddler (bluemermaid) Character(s)/Pairing(s): Teddy/James Rating: NC-17 Word count: 9,000 Warnings: None Summary: Travel, adventure, substantial, danger-related treasure bonuses? Add the opportunity to watch Teddy at work, and James has found the perfect job. Author's notes: Thank you to my recipient for a delightful prompt. I really enjoyed it and I hope you do, too. Thank you also to the mods for running this fabulous fest and for being wonderful. Finally, thank you to my betas for all their support and assistance.
James charges in
The vein on Teddy's forehead bulges. It should make him ugly, but it doesn't. That and the blood rushing to his head just make him, well, purple.
"You all right?" James asks.
Teddy twists a bit and turns his body to look at James. It's quite a feat, really. James can't seem to get any leverage, dangling from his ankles, and it strikes him that either Teddy is exceptionally strong or he has spent some time dangling from his ankles.
"You're turning purple," Teddy snaps. He crosses his arms over his chest. It's not particularly dignified, crossing your arms over your chest when your robe is hanging down and your trousers are half way up your legs, exposing your bony ankles – regardless of what nice ankles they are.
"Yes, well. So are you," James says. "Blood rushing to the head and all that. What's your plan?"
"My plan?" The vein in Teddy's forehead seems to pop out a bit more. "My plan? My plan was to come into this room, cast protective spells on the bloody goblet, and bloody well get back to the inn in time for dinner."
"Given that the plan's likely shot, what do you suggest?"
Teddy rolls his eyes, an action that makes him look as if he's dropped something on the floor. "Next time, would you listen to me before you go charging into a room?"
"You said—"
"I said we should go in. I didn't—"
"And I looked."
"You never go in unprotected," Teddy says. He stretches, trying to reach his wand that rolled just beyond his finger's grasp when he was hoisted into the air.
"I don't need you to tell me that."
"Evidence would appear to dispute that fact."
"All right, Merlin, what are we going to do about it? My fucking head's about to explode."
"Right, think. We don't know what caused this or if something else might be coming."
"That's comforting," James says. He looks around the room for any signs of movement. His head spins and he can feel the blood sloshing around in his skull.
"It's not meant to be. What do you need?"
"My wand."
"Yes," Teddy says. "So how do you get it?"
James stretches as hard as he can. He hears something pop in his shoulder, but he still can't reach his wand.
"Libracorpus ."
James looks up and sees that Teddy has managed to grab his wand, just as he feels the spell cascade over him, as if someone has poured fizzy water over his legs. He lands with a thump on the floor.
"Really?" he asks. He untangles his legs and rubs his shoulder. "That simple?"
"If you'd like to call summoning my wand bare handed simple, then yes, once I had my wand, it seems it was simple. Perhaps whoever was protecting this goblet didn't count on wandless magic."
"Show off," James says, watching Teddy from the corner of his eye.
Teddy rises from the floor elegantly. His robes fall back into place, framing his broad shoulders, and he shakes his fringe out of his eyes. James rubs his shoulder where it connected with the floor. There will be a bruise. He grabs his wand and grips it tightly. He considers asking Teddy not to tell Dad that he was disarmed by a thousand year-old charm, but then he figures that the chances of Teddy wanting to tell Dad are slim, given that Teddy's knickers were hanging out just as much as James'.
He takes two careful steps toward the cabinet that holds the goblet.
He pulls open the cabinet door and resists the urge to close his eyes and hope for the best. "You might want to duck," he says, glancing quickly at Teddy. His fingers tingle as they connect with the ancient goblet.
"Steady on," Teddy says. "Take a moment and feel for any charms or enchantments before you lift it."
"Maybe you should do it."
"You're all right. Go on."
James holds his breath as he sweeps his fingers around the goblet. He doesn't feel anything. "Got it," he says, and he grasps the goblet carefully by its stem. It's rumoured to be over a thousand years old, rumoured to have belonged to Merlin's half-brother, who was exiled for practicing dark magic.
"See, I told—"
"Teddy, fuck, give me the bag," James shouts. It's as if there are spiders scuttling up and into the veins in his arm, starting at where his fingers touch the goblet.
Teddy grabs the goblet, so quickly that James doesn't even see him move, and thrusts it into the charmed bag. "Okay, got it," he says.
He looks alarmed and James realises he must look as bad as he feels. He forgets, sometimes, how dangerous this is. Teddy has to be able to count on him, and it suddenly hits him that the very last thing he wants to do is let Teddy down.
"Look, I'm sorry about before," James says. "That was stupid."
Teddy lays a hand on his shoulder and the drained, shaky feeling eases. "Well done, in the end. Just try not to be such an arse next time, Jamie."
Teddy talks fast
Bill rubs his hand over his forehead. "There was something like a Levicorpus hex on the carpet?"
"That’s what it seemed like," Teddy says. He hates this, but there’s no getting out of it, and that’s never the best strategy with Bill anyway. "We didn’t stop to check the carpet before we stepped on it."
James pipes up, "We did manage to—"
Teddy shoots him a look, and it must say what he means, because James shuts up immediately.
"You came back with the treasure, alive, this time," Bill says. "Next time--"
"I’m sorry, sir," Teddy says before it can get any worse. "It was a stupid mistake and it won’t happen again."
"All right," Bill says, his eyes on Teddy. "I have another job for you. I’ll send the details tomorrow. This is a bit unusual, so see that you check everything, even carpets, for hexes."
James rises to go and Teddy starts to follow. If there’s a job tomorrow, Bill hasn’t decided he’s totally useless. Teddy is almost through the door when Bill says, "Lupin, a word, please. Potter, good luck tomorrow, and listen to Lupin, for Merlin’s sake."
Teddy sinks back into the seat in front of Bill’s big desk.
"Do you have this?"
"Sorry, sir. Do I have what?" Teddy asks. He knows where Bill is going. He needs a minute to think.
"Ted," Bill says. He leans forward, arms on his desk. "James. He needs a strong hand. He's clever as can be, but he's stubborn and reckless. I know that wasn't you today. You never once forgot to check for basics when you were working with me. You and James are family. Maybe this is too much."
"I can manage it," Teddy says. "You're not wrong about him, but he's also a quick study and is incredible at disarming curses. Give us another chance. I won't let you down."
Bill nods and Teddy's relief is almost instantly replaced by a worry that, maybe, he can't handle this—but not why Bill thinks.
James finds a genie in a bottle
"Did he really need to send us for this?" James looks about the cavern. It seems as if it hasn't been disturbed in ages. The most recent spell casting he can detect is years old.
"After yesterday’s performance, consider yourself lucky we’ve got a job today at all."
Teddy leans over, his long body stretched out as he looks at what appears to be a blank stone wall. Water laps softly against rock somewhere and the light of the full moon comes in through a crevice, adding to the light from their wands.
"All right, point taken. Did he shout at you?" James says. He takes another moment to watch the way Teddy moves along the wall, looking for a sign of a door or compartment.
"Never mind, just pay attention to what you‘re doing."
"Okay, so if all we have to do is get a bloody lamp, why couldn't he send anyone? I'd like to work on breaking the curse on the goblet."
"He's working on the goblet, and if you haven't noticed, we are anyone. Or at least, you are." Teddy stands up straight and smiles. His smile warms James from inside out. "Give it another couple of weeks. You’ll learn not to question Bill."
The stone is cool against James' fingers. He concentrates and he feels something, a tingling energy. He raises his wand and murmurs, "Revelio." A barely visible, hairline fissure opens in the rock. "Teddy," James calls. "There’s something here."
Teddy’s behind him in a second. He reaches around him and his body presses against James, for just a moment. Teddy mutters a long incantation and James tries to pay attention, to learn the words and the cadence, but it’s hard with Teddy’s cheek so near to his. The stone seems to melt in front of his eyes and a dimly illuminated nook appears.
"Merlin," James whispers. The oil lamp is possibly the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. It’s a deep red and covered with ornate designs of every colour. The lid is studded with rubies. James needs to touch it. He has a feeling there's something he's supposed to do, but they’ve found it now, it's theirs, and he has to take it.
"Don’t t—" Teddy’s voices cuts through his thoughts just as his fingers meet the cool surface of the lamp. Teddy’s warm hand curls around his wrist and he thinks both that he’s probably made another mistake and, if Teddy’s hand feels like that on his skin, his mistake can’t have been that bad.
The room smells of jasmine. The walls are hung with pale blue silks and the floor is covered with a deeper blue. James is sure he’s never been here before, but he feels completely at home. Teddy reclines on a settee the colour of sapphires. It’s so soft that James can see where Teddy’s body sinks into it. He wants to be next to him, pressing against him.
Teddy blinks sleepily at him. He stretches, arms above his head, and a sliver of pale skin is exposed. James’ mouth waters. He can’t remember why he’s never told Teddy that he wants him, that he’s been thinking about him for years.
"Teddy," James says, walking over to him. The settee gives way to the pressure of his knee. He sits and Teddy just smiles.
There’s something he’s supposed to be doing and Teddy’s involved, but he can’t remember what.
He’s never felt so comfortable. The temperature of the air is perfect and he can’t remember eating or drinking, yet he feels pleasantly satisfied.
"James," Teddy says. "Come. Sit. This is the softest thing I’ve ever been on." Teddy’s voice sounds deep and rich and the sound wraps around James like a blanket. He smiles contentedly. James sinks down next to him and Teddy sighs.
"When did you get here?" James asks. He can’t remember coming here or how long they get to stay.
Teddy frowns and shakes his head. The air feels a little warmer and the smell of jasmine deepens.
James shrugs. "It’s not important."
"No," Teddy says. He’s still frowning and James can’t imagine how anyone can frown in this place. "I think it is. I don’t know why."
And James knows what he means. There’s something he’s supposed to be doing, but all he wants is to lie down on the deep blue settee next to Teddy and feel the silk on his skin. He wants to stay here forever.
"James," Teddy says. There’s urgency in his voice that James doesn’t want to hear. It doesn’t fit here.
James lies back on the settee and he looks up at the stunning artwork on the walls. The walls slope in, forming a tunnel that looks like a chimney, or maybe an exit. James can't imagine why there would be an exit in the ceiling, and why anyone would want to leave this room—ever—in the first place.
Teddy’s arm is against his. James closes his eyes and breathes in the jasmine. He slides his leg so it rubs along Teddy’s. His heart races. He’s wanted him for so long.
He can feel Teddy’s muscles, taught and tense. Teddy feels like he’s ready to spring. Something’s wrong. Teddy curls toward James. His chest presses against James' arm.
"There's something we're supposed to be doing," Teddy says, softly. His breath is warm on James' cheek and he wants to melt into him.
The words are no sooner out of his mouth than a soft, sultry voice echoes in James' head, more thoughts than words, and the feeling that he's forgetting something slips further from his mind. The voice belongs to the woman who is coming into being out of thin air in front of them. She's the most beautiful thing that James has ever seen, tall and strong with waves of black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her gauzy robes are the deepest purple with threads of gold through them. She smiles with full, red lips and promises of pleasure beyond his wildest dreams, happiness for an eternity, fill his head. She reaches for him, a long-fingered hand with deep purple nails. Teddy's hand closes around her wrists, stopping her just before she would have touched James.
"We’re inside the lamp," Teddy whispers.
He says it too loudly. The woman hisses and her beautiful face changes. The skin turns grey and the features distort until she's hideous and terrifying.
In one moment, everything comes rushing back. The cavern, the lamp, the falling feeling that ended in being more relaxed and content than he'd ever felt.
James grips his wand and advances on the spectre. Teddy's right beside him. She hisses a curse and James can feel the lazy, disoriented haze creeping back in. Inside his head, her voice wordlessly promises bliss. He digs his fingernails into his palm and looks at Teddy. He feels her try harder. Teddy attempts to stun her and James follows with his own stunner right after. It slows her, but doesn't stop her. She reaches out a grey, clawed hand and grazes Teddy's arm, leaving long, jagged tears in his robe.
Teddy jumps back and James tries to stun her again.
"Together," Teddy barks. "Use the spirit incantation."
James is sure this is not a spirit, but it's all they've got. They both raise their wands and James puts everything he has into the spell. He feels the pull of her for a split second, but Teddy's right next to him with eyes blazing and adrenalin high, and she has nothing to offer James with Teddy right there. He casts the spell again at the same moment as Teddy and she flies back, disintegrating into the walls. The moment she is completely gone, James feels a pull like Apparition and he is back in the cavern, Teddy's hand on his wrist to stop him from touching the lamp.
"How," he pants, his heart still racing, "did you know so quickly?"
Teddy looks at him quizzically. "She's not my type."
He looks right at James on the word 'type.' James would swear to it. "Yeah, the curse missed the mark a bit there, didn't it?" James says, still catching his breath.
Teddy looks at him, head tilted. "It did," Teddy says. "Well done in there. I don't think I could have done it on my own. But James, you really have to learn to keep your hands to yourself."
Teddy dances around it
"What happened inside the lamp?" Harry asks, leaning forward. He’s trying to be professional and maybe a little stern, but his concern for them makes him much less intimidating than he ought to be. It’s routine when something of this nature is discovered, to debrief with the Head Auror. Teddy’s just never had to do it before.
"Nothing happened at first," Teddy says. "I was just content to be there. Everything felt perfect."
"And you both managed to get stuck inside?" Harry asks. He’s frowning again and Teddy reminds himself not to shrink under what feels like Harry’s disapproval.
"The enchantment started before we were inside," James says. Teddy can hear him trying to keep his voice steady. "I know better than to touch something like that. It drew me to it and Teddy only ended up inside because he tried to stop me."
"I wasn’t quick enough," Teddy says. He doesn't want James to take the fall, and it warms him from inside out that James is willing to. "And I was taken in at first, just as much as James was."
"So what pulled you out of it?" Harry asks. "That’s critical. Identify what you can use to shake off an enchantment." He stands and paces. "That way you can use it in the future."
Teddy nods as if he’s trying to remember. He shoots a glance at James. James is looking at his knees, frowning as if deep in thought.
"Well," Teddy says, choosing his words carefully, "everything felt different, better. It felt like James and I were, well--together."
He can feel James' wide eyes on him.
Harry stops pacing and looks from Teddy to James and back again. "Are you two the best pair to work together?"
"Yes," James says quickly. "Dad, this wasn’t Teddy’s fault."
"I didn’t say it was anyone’s fault. I‘m just saying that maybe you are too close to each other to have Teddy be your trainer."
"I honestly don’t think this happened because we're...close," Teddy says, shooting a sideways glance at James who is looking imploringly at Harry. Teddy has the urge to ruffle his hair. "I think it happened because I didn’t move quickly enough and James isn’t experienced enough at throwing off enchantments yet. That’s all. Honestly, Harry."
"I trust Bill's judgement and this is his decision," Harry says. "As Head Auror, that's what it comes down to. As father and godfather, I do like the idea of you two looking out for each other in the field, but if you do anything stupid, I'll deny it."
James names him Gilbert
The wind is bitter and it whistles through the walls of the castle. The place must have been around since Merlin’s time, maybe longer, and it's been decades since the family lived here.
"This is too easy," Teddy says.
The hair on the back of James’ neck stands up. He’s right, of course. They’re here on the word of a local boy called Davy who brought home a jewel-handled dagger from his wanderings in the abandoned castle. The lad’s parents realised it was worth more gold than they’d ever see and stashed it away in a cabinet in the kitchen. Problem was, the knife cut through the cabinet in the middle of the night and went on a spree of its own accord—slashing the drapes, denting the silver, breaking the china, and seems it was going after the parents themselves, but they heard the racket and managed to Disapparate with the boy under one arm. James found the knife embedded in the frame of the parents‘ bedroom door and charmed it straight into his bag.
After many assurances that he wasn't in for it and several sweets, Davy had described where he found the knife and said there were more where that came from. And in they walked—way too easy.
The low ceilinged room is at the end of a row of cells that line the draughty corridor.
"Can you imagine having actual cells in your house," James says. He covers Teddy, wand raised and every sense alert. Teddy casts charm after charm on the heavy door. It doesn't seem to be locked, so there must be something else.
"Don't know if you've noticed, but this isn't your average house." Teddy tentatively pokes the toe of his boot over the threshold. James holds his breath and nothing happens. "Watch, now," Teddy says and he slides his foot a few more inches into the room. There's no noise and nothing stirring except the wind. Teddy slowly moves into the room.
"Well?" James asks.
"Merlin‘s balls,’ Teddy says, "There's a bloody fortune in here."
James steps in behind him. The low light glints off silver and gold and platinum. There are swords and daggers and scabbards, all bejewelled, all Goblin-made. "Were they pirates?"
"Maybe. Although collectors are more likely," Teddy says. "Remember the file on this place—the Hobday's had more than enough money to buy these and more than enough enemies to want them."
"There'd have to be a lot of them to use all these at once," James says. He follows Teddy all the way into the room now. The weapons are stacked on shelves, neat enough that he can see the empty space where the dagger would have gone. "So what was their security then? Have we really just walked right in?"
"Or whatever it was is long—"
Teddy's words are cut off by an eerie yowl. James freezes.
"What the hell was—"
"Shhh," Teddy hisses. He moves gracefully around the room. James loves watching him like this, the way he moves and the pure focus is intoxicating. "There's something behind there." Teddy gestures with his wand at a large trunk on the far side of the room.
"I'll go," James says.
Teddy holds up a hand. "Cover me," he says. "I'll go.
Teddy is completely silent as he moves to the other side of the room. James scans the room, wand raised and ready. Teddy reaches the trunk and he stops.
"Oh, for the love of Merlin," Teddy says, backing away a couple of steps, but letting his arms fall to his sides. "What are we going to do with this?"
James goes to stand next to him. He peers over the side of the trunk. A scaly snout rests on the side and red eyes regard him.
"It’s a little titchy thing," James says. The tiny dragon glares at him and growls.
"Hello wee fellow," Teddy says. He steps too close and reaches out.
"No, it's still a dr—" James begins, and the titchy little thing lets out a rumbling growl and a blast of fire the makes Teddy jump back.
"Fuck," Teddy says, shaking his robe. "I thought they didn't get their fire until they were a year."
"That's only Hungarian Horntails, because they stay with their mothers longer," James says. He's searching his brain for the spell the Uncle Charlie taught him to sedate a young dragon. "All the others are tossed from the nest at about three or four months. They have to protect themselves," James says. He remembers and whispers the spell in as soothing voice as he can muster while staring down a fully functioning dragon. The little thing slips to its side and starts to snore. "Oh, look at him. I think we'll call him Gilbert."
"Gilbert? I forgot you spent a summer with Charlie," Teddy says, looking at James with amusement and admiration that make James tingle. "So, where is Mummy?"
"Probably long gone. They don't share territory once they push them out of the nest."
Teddy freezes. James pricks up his ears and he hears something, too. The footsteps rattle the weapons where they still lie in a pile. The roar rattles James' eardrums and the baby dragon snaps out of the charm and backs against the wall. It growls and looks terrified and James can't help but pity it.
"They don't share territory?" Teddy asks, moving so his back is against the wall.
Without even thinking, James moves in front of the little dragon and draws his wand. "We have to get Gilbert out of here."
"And the weapons," Teddy says, looking at James incredulously. "Don't forget why we came."
"Get them now, then," James says. A huge, clawed foot crashes through the wall behind him and he dives just in time to avoid a chunk of the stone wall crushing him.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Teddy drop to the floor and roll away, casting protective spells at the same time. The baby dragon slashes its little claws uselessly in the air, but runs behind James, sending a blast of fire in the direction of the grown dragon's searching claws. United behind a common enemy, James thinks, and then the wall begins to buckle. Long cracks open between the stones and fire blazes through the places they haven't cast spells. Teddy shouts in alarm. Gilbert makes an unearthly sound of terror and James screams that they have to Apparate above the din.
Teddy summons as many of the weapons as he can fit into his charmed bag and James grabs a few. Another blast of fire comes and James scoops up Gilbert and concentrates on the village they passed on the way in here.
He lands with a crack on soft, mossy ground. The dragon blinks at him with large, bewildered, red eyes. He nearly drops him. He sets Gilbert on the ground and the dragon leans against James' leg, heavy and cool.
Teddy appears next to him and the baby dragon startles at the crack, but doesn't move from its place by James' leg.
"I think you're Gilbert's Mummy now," Teddy says.
The little dragon looks up at James and makes a soft sound that, while accompanied by a fair amount of heat, doesn't produce any flame.
*
The village inn is simple and plain, as is the proprietor. She welcomes them in with a nod and a look up and down. It was a trick to get Gilbert to wait for them outside. He didn't seem to want to be more than a few inches away from James.
"I've one room and no dinner," Mrs Dudgeon says in a plain, firm tone. "There's tea and biscuits if you want it. I don’t allow no pets and no women in your room. And I don't brook shenanigans of any sort, mind."
Their Portkey's not until tomorrow and James' doesn't fancy sleeping rough with a baby dragon whose irritated mum is about. Mrs Dudgeon's dubious charms it is.
"We appreciate your hospitality, ma'am," Teddy says, smiling charmingly. She looks at him as if she's certain he's something up his sleeve and she stomps off to what must be the kitchen.
It's easy enough to sneak the little dragon up into their room. Mrs Dudgeon seems to be satisfied with her proclamation and Teddy's acceptance and, except for leaving a tray with tea and biscuits and even a bit of cheese outside their room, she makes herself scarce.
The room is small and sparsely furnished with one bed, one chair, and one lamp. James looks about for a place to set the dragon drown. He'd thought to keep it in the loo, but it's a shared one down the hall and that seems like a nasty surprise for Mrs Dudgeon's other lodgers.
"You want the floor?" Teddy asks, grinning.
James settles the baby dragon in the corner near the window. It lets out a tiny belch and flame shoots across the floor.
"Not on your life," James says. "I'll be grilled." He eyes the large bed anxiously. It looks like both his wildest dream and his worst nightmare at once.
The baby dragon yowls again and more flame shoots across the room and under the bed.
"I can see why she doesn't allow pets," James adds. The dragon has left two long scorch marks on the wood floor.
"My Kneazle is a menace, but she's never done anything like that," Teddy says. Teddy glances at the bed clears his throat. "You should take him home. He's clearly taken to you."
"I can't take him home," James says. He's already too fond of the little thing. That would tear it and he'd end up with a pet that wanted him dead. "I have wood floors, just like Mrs Dudgeon."
"Well, back to the matter at hand, I'll take the bed because I'm older," Teddy says. "You can kip in the chair."
The words are no sooner out of his mouth than the little dragon curls up under the chair and sighs. One of the legs catches on fire and Teddy leaps to douse it.
"All right, looks like we're sharing," Teddy says. He laughs nervously and slips off his robe. His thin, white t-shirt fits him like a second skin and stretches across his chest. Teddy's body is strong and wiry. He pulls off his belt and his trousers hang low on his narrow waist. James realises he hasn't breathed since Teddy said the word, "sharing."
"I won't jump you, I promise," Teddy says, giving James a look he can't read. He slips out of his trousers. "Look, put some protective charms on the floor or we'll all go up in flames tonight."
His long, muscular thighs make James' mouth water. James tries to remember the protective spells against fire. His hands tremble and Teddy slides between the sheets of the bed in his pants and t-shirt and plumps up the pillow under his head. James manages what he hopes are the right incantations and he leans against the wallpapered wall, reciting Quidditch stats in his head. Even the most detailed stats nothing for his erection.
"Er, yeah," James says. "Be right there. Gonna check on the little one first."
Gilbert looks up at him balefully. James notices for the first time how thin he is. He's tiny and almost fragile, even if he could roast them both with a sneeze.
"Goodnight, little fellow," James says. "Maybe I should take him home and give him a feed or two," he says.
Teddy's breathing is even and relaxed. His hair splays on the pillow and he's waiting for James so he can go to sleep. He's so beautiful.
James climbs into the bed and lies carefully on his back. Every muscle in his body is tense. He closes his eyes and can't imagine that he'll ever sleep.
*
He's dreaming and he doesn't want to wake up. Teddy's hand is solid and warm on his hip, like a lover's hand. He burrows deeper into his pillow, willing himself to go back to sleep and let this dream run its course. He rolls his hips, pressing his hard cock into the mattress. The hand moves and James rolls his hips again. He sighs and reaches out. Teddy's skin is soft under his hand. He explores the dip of Teddy's waist and skims over his pants to touch his thigh.
"James?" Teddy mumbles, sleepy and questioning, and James realises this isn't a dream and this really is Teddy.
He'd swear Teddy's voice is tinged with the same hope he feels.
He opens his eyes and whimpers softly at the sight of sleep-rumpled Teddy, curled in close to him. Teddy blinks and his warm eyes meet James'. The beginnings of a smile touches Teddy's lips and James thinks maybe he can have this. Maybe Teddy wants this, too.
"Teddy," James murmurs. He leans close and Teddy smiles and tilts his head.
The baby dragon yawns hugely from his place under the chair and the drapes go up in flames.
Teddy finds Gilbert a new home
Gilbert is asleep again, under James' seemingly expert sedation charm. He's as small as a dog, but heavy enough that they use a charm to carry the fireproof bag he's sleeping in.
"I still don't see why you had to Floo Charlie already," James grumbles. "Gilbert could have stayed around another day."
"Gilbert was going to reduce us to two little piles of ash," Teddy says, adding, "Even if it wasn't on purpose," at James' glare. "You can't keep a dragon in a flat."
Bill and Charlie are both waiting in Bill's office. Bill looks mildly amused and Teddy's sure some of his good mood is due to the lengthy inventory of Goblin-made weapons he's reviewing. Charlie looks like a kid at Christmas.
"Well done, you two," Bills says, a note of pride in his voice that pleases Teddy tremendously.
"Thank you, sir," Teddy and James intone at the same time.
"All right, all right, enough with the pleasantries," Charlie says, rushing forward. "What have we here?" He bends over Gilbert's bag and touches the cool scales and runs his hands over the sharp, spiky tail. "Hello there," he says in a soft voice.
"You'll take good care of him," James says. He touches the baby dragon's head. Gilbert snuffles in his sleep and James moves his hand just in time. "His name's Gilbert."
"Of course I'll take good care of him," Charlie says. "Although, he doesn't need much seeing to at this point."
"He likes fish," James says quickly. "And he sleeps best underneath a trunk or a chair, somewhere he can hide."
"Will he be out in the wild?" Teddy asks. Apparently, he thinks, James' dementia is catching.
"Now, now, Mum and Dad, you've to know when it's time to let go," Charlie says. He hoists the bag with Gilbert onto his shoulder as if it were a schoolbag. "Your charm's not long for this world, so I'd better get a move on. He's a strong one—well done there, James. Nice to see you were listening. I'll write and let you know how he's doing," Charlie says, gathering Gilbert to his chest.
"If we can get back to my agenda for the meeting," Bill says. He still looks amused, much to Teddy's relief. "First, yes, well done with the weapons and the dragon. Second, if you're ready for a little more excitement, we've caught wind of a stash of pirates' coins – Luis D'or and Dubloons. The word is their cursed. They're apparently surrounded by skeletons. At least that's what my informant said. I want you two to find out if there's any truth to it and, of course, bring back the gold if you do find it."
He hands Teddy about ten inches of parchment. James can't see it, but he knows it contains directions and all the information Bill has, which sounds like it might not be much. Teddy glances at it and then rolls the parchment and slips it into his robe.
"We'll be off too, then," Teddy says. He turns and says, "Goodbye, Gilbert," before he can stop himself, as Charlie steps into the Floo.
James fights like a madman
Moonlight reflects on the Seine, ripples of light across the slowly moving surface. A cool breeze caresses his skin and the back of his hand brushes Teddy's as he walks. James steals glances at Teddy. His hair is light brown tonight, James' favourite colour for him. They've been dancing around each other all day, carefully not mentioning that they've once again got into an inn with only one empty room. His heart pounds when he thinks about later—after the work is finished and it's time to turn in. It occurs to him, perhaps foolishly, that maybe Teddy finds these places on purpose.
"Here," Teddy says, touching his arm. "Down this way."
Teddy taps his wand on the stone wall in front of him. The stones move apart with a dull grinding sound and Teddy steps through the gap, gesturing for James to follow. A spiral staircase winds down into darkness. James lights his wand. The steps are uneven and slippery and James reaches out a hand to steady himself. The wall feels odd and he holds up his lit wand.
"Fuck," he exclaims. He yanks his hand away from the domed forehead of a human skull.
"Surrounded by bloody skeletons all right," Teddy grumbles. He rereads the directions Bill gave them. "He's having a laugh right about now."
"Who's his informant?"
"Dunno. He'd never let that slip. Keeps him a step ahead of everyone else."
James plants his feet carefully with each step. A musty smell fills his nostrils and he has the feeling he's moving through air that hasn't been disturbed in decades.
"So, this isn't the part of the Catacombs the Muggle tourists see," James says. The hair on the back of his neck stands on end. He tries to tell himself that there's nothing to fear from skeletons.
"Absolutely not," Teddy says. "Shh," he whispers. He freezes and raises a hand.
"What?'
"Shh," Teddy hisses and they both stand stock still. James waits, every nerve ending on high alert. "Okay," Teddy says quietly after another minute. "I guess it was nothing."
A breeze blows through the tunnel deep in the Catacombs, cooling James' cheeks. It makes him shiver. He follows Teddy as they walk along the winding tunnel, following both the hints from Bill's informant and instinct.
"There's been some spells cast here," Teddy says, running his hand along a column of what looks like femurs.
James touches the wall opposite and he can feel it here, too. "And here," he says. It feels dark and everything in his body is telling him to run. On the first day of training, Teddy had told him that being a Curse Breaker meant that, when the only sensible thing to do is run, you push forward all the harder. "Teddy," he says as he shines the light from his wand into a crack in the tightly packed wall of bones. "Look."
Teddy leans closer and his body presses against James'. The eerie breeze and Teddy's closeness make his heart race.
"There's a cavern or something behind this wa—" Teddy stops as the breeze picks up and a high pitched hum starts, getting louder by the second.
"What the fuck," James says. He can't see anything, but fear floods his body.
"Jamie," Teddy says slowly. He raises his wand. "Get ready."
"What is it?"
The words are barely out of his mouth before something is upon him. A terror like nothing he's ever felt grips him. Teddy fires off a stunning spell and James feels icy hands he can't see on his neck. He points his wand in front of him and shouts, "Protego". The grip loosens and Teddy doubles over. He hears someone scream "No", and realises it must be him. "Stupefy, Stupefy, Stupefy". He casts spells faster than he ever has and Teddy stands again, shaking his head.
"Run," Teddy shouts. "I don't know what the hell this is."
James fires another protective shield behind him and runs. He hears footsteps pounding behind him. Teddy's covering him, working spells as he tears from the room.
The tunnels around him are quiet and still. He runs until his lungs burn and his legs ache. The only sound is the pounding of his heart. He is completely alone. He walks carefully, wand raised and holding his breath. He can't hear a thing. He tries to remember which way he came and retrace his steps, but he's utterly turned about. The tunnels are going off in different angles than James remembers. He leans, his back against the wall, and tries to think, tries to remember what Teddy would tell him to do.
He rolls his wand in his fingers and pushes away from the wall. He's as quiet as a cat as he moves. He can feel a slight shift in temperature to his right, cooler air. James remembers the icy hands and moves toward it. He senses before he hears the high pitched hum and he jogs on silent feet, his mind racing through every defensive spell he's ever learned.
One more right turn and he's suddenly back where he last saw Teddy. Scars of the battle are on the stones and the gap in the wall. Through the gap, he sees the wide chamber he'd glimpsed before. He's never been more afraid or more determined. He moves to the side of the entry, shoulder pressed to the cold stone. He peers around the solid wall and looks through into the chamber. Cold wind that makes his hair stand on end hits his face. The high pitched whine makes it difficult to think. He sees a shadow, a shape, something, on the far side of the room.
"Lumos", he whispers and his blood freezes in his veins.
Teddy is lying in a heap. His arm is bent at an odd angle. His face is ashen and so is his hair. His eyes are open, staring blankly. James' breath catches in his throat and he feels his knees buckle, hitting the stone floor painfully. Pain rips through his body and the cold hands are on his throat and gripping his heart.
Something glints right next to Teddy's extended arm and James can see that Teddy had found the treasure and it may have cost him his life. He looks away. He can't think with Teddy lying broken on the floor.
He closes his eyes for a second and he can hear Teddy's voice in his head, telling him to stay in the room, to stay focused no matter what comes at him. The cold and the icy hands seem to come at him from every angle. The whining sound is deafening. He whirls to his right and casts a protective spell over Teddy's limp form. He spins left and someone or something is coming at him again. He fights like a madman against enemies he can't see, his back to Teddy. He sees spots before his eyes and the grip of the thing tightens. It's taking over. He can feel the heat leaving his body.
"James".
He hears his name, Teddy's voice calling him. He must have lost this one, he thinks as his knees buckle for the second time. He hears Teddy calling him again and thinks this must be it. The room spins around him and the floor comes up to meet him just as he hears two other familiar voices shouting. He hits the ground, where Teddy should be, but instead of cloth and flesh, his head hits cold stone and everything folds in and becomes black.
Teddy offers a bonus
James still hasn't moved, but his breathing is easier and his cheeks have the faintest colour now. Teddy reaches to smooth his dark hair that sticks up at gravity-defying angles. He closes his eyes and he can see James crumbling to the floor, looking like a corpse.
In the end, it was James who led them to the treasure, and James who held the monsters off long enough for Teddy to send his Patronus for help. In the end, James remembered everything Teddy and Bill had ever tried to teach him.
James' cheek is soft and cool under his palm. James' eyelids flutter and Teddy smiles at the sight of the lovely, hazel eyes.
"Hey," he says. "You're back."
James blinks. "Where?"
His voice comes out in a croak and Teddy conjures a cup and fills it with water.
"You're home."
"You're not dead," James says.
"Thanks in great part to you." Teddy touches his face again, and James leans into the touch.
"But, you were dead, or close, or..." James pushes himself to sitting.
"I saw the same thing, I mean, you," Teddy says. He touches James' arm. "I saw you dead as well. It was part of the curse. Bill said that was common in some Egyptian tombs, to make the intruder give up, only it didn't work on either of us. I heard you shouting my name just after I saw you—thought I saw you—dead. When I found you and saw that you were fighting, trying to protect something, I figured it out. Here, you feeling all right?"
James leans back on his elbows and cocks his head, looking up at Teddy. "I am, actually, so don't think you can't tell me what happened or give me a telling off if I mucked it up."
Teddy smiles and feels some of the tension leave his chest. The Healers said James appeared to be completely fine. He'd lost consciousness but wasn't injured in any way. The Healers sent him home to rest, and Teddy volunteered to sit with him, promising to Floo Harry and Ginny the moment he woke up.
"On the contrary. You found the treasure. You kept those things busy enough for me to call Bill for help."
"Was my dad there?"
"Yeah, I guess Harry was with Bill when he got my message, so they both came. Bill and I were able to secure all of the treasure and Harry picked you up and carried you like a wee boy," Teddy teases.
James groans and Teddy feels again the relief he felt when Harry showed up and shouted that they should do what they had to, but he was taking James.
"So we got the treasure?"
"We did."
"And I'm not fired."
"Not at all. Bill was very pleased with your performance under pressure. There will be a nice bonus in the form of some thoroughly deactivated pirate's gold in your pay packet next week."
"Brilliant," James says. He lies back on the pillow and throws an arm over his eyes. "Teddy?"
"Yeah?"
"When I thought you were dead, I—"
Teddy curls his fingers around James' where they rest on the blanket. "Me too, Jamie," he says softly.
"I'm glad you're not dead," James says. He smiles at Teddy. He's a little peaky, but he looks like himself again. "I'm fairly chuffed I'm not dead, either."
"How are you feeling, really?" Teddy asks. He wants James so badly it aches. He looks gorgeous and sleepy and warm cocooned in his blankets. And Teddy sinks into it, lets himself admit that he's been trying to ignore what he feels, and it's not working. Nothing in the world would be better than stretching out next to him and feeling their bodies slide together, picking up where little Gilbert interrupted them the other morning.
James leans up and cups Teddy's face with his hand. "Never better."
He urges Teddy down and kisses him softly on the lips. Teddy starts to pulls back in surprise and James doesn't stop.
"Mm," Teddy sighs into the kiss. Their lips move together, deliciously warm and slow. He presses in and James meets him, parting his lips with his tongue. Teddy curls his tongue once around James' and pulls back from the kiss. "I'm supposed to Floo your parents the second you open your eyes."
"So I'll close them," James says. His smile melts Teddy's heart. "Come here."
He threads his fingers in Teddy's hair and pulls him in for another kiss, faster and deeper this time. Teddy kisses back and moves to lie next to him. James' body feels warm and strong through the blanket and Teddy presses against him. James turns and wraps an arm around Teddy and Teddy moves half over him. He leans up and kisses Teddy's jaw and nuzzles his neck, nipping the sensitive skin with teeth that make Teddy shiver.
Teddy runs his hand down James' side and slips it under his t-shirt. "You know I've wanted this for a while, right?" He draws circles on the soft skin of James' stomach.
"It's not just because I saved your life?" James asks with a cheeky grin.
Teddy lifts his hand under James' t-shirt and slaps him lightly on the belly. James sucks in his breath and a frisson of desire runs through Teddy. "I taught you everything you know, smart arse."
"Couldn't have done it without you." James turns and kisses Teddy at the base of his jaw.
Teddy captures his mouth in a kiss and presses closer. He teases along James' lips with his tongue and his cock swells with the first touch of James' tongue to his. He works his leg between James and moves his hand to brush across James' chest.
"You sure you're well?"
"God, Teddy," James groans, rolling his hips. His hard cock presses against Teddy.
Teddy pushes up James' shirt. His chest is pale and smooth, with flat, copper-coloured nipples that beg to be licked. Teddy leans and flattens his tongue over one, laving over it until he feels it rise. He moves to the other one and James moans and fists his hands in Teddy's hair.
"You're gorgeous," Teddy murmurs between kisses to James' chest. "Fucking gorgeous." He pulls a nipple between his lips, tugging it into his mouth. When James rocks his hips up, thrusting against nothing, Teddy slips his hand into James' pants. "For a moment there, I thought I'd lost you," he says.
"Me too," James says. He starts to sit up, as if to move on top of Teddy, his hand at the neck of Teddy's robe.
"Just...just let me," Teddy says. He opens his mouth against James neck and places open-mouthed kisses, nipping at the tendons as James' tenses. He curls his fingers around James' cock and strokes it slowly from the tip until his hand hits James' abdomen. "Let me take care of you tonight."
"Yes," James groans, flopping back onto the pillow, a flush rising in his cheeks and up his chest.
Teddy kisses James' chest, pressing firmly against one nipple then the other. He moves his hand on James' cock, getting used to the feel of it. It's hard and heavy in his hand and the plump head is slick. Teddy rocks his hips as he strokes, putting just enough pressure on his own cock that he doesn't go mad.
"Want you in my mouth," he says against James' stomach as he kisses his way down.
James writhes against the bed and reaches to yank his pants off, kicking them to his ankles. His cock stands up from the curly, dark hair and Teddy licks his lips.
"Please," James begs. "Teddy, yes." He threads his fingers through Teddy's hair again and urges him down.
Teddy laughs with delight. He rubs his cheek along James' cock and kisses the tip. He licks a circle around the head, pressing his hand against James' stomach. James thrusts up and Teddy opens to him. They'll have a chance later to take their time. Now, he wants to hear James call his name. He sucks hard on the head of James' cock and works the length with his hand.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck," James chants. One hand closes around Teddy's hair, the other grips his shoulder.
Teddy slides his mouth down, taking more of James in. He pulls back up, loving the feel of his lips stretching around James. He sucks harder and when his mouth pulls almost all the way back, presses the head of James' cock against the roof of his mouth with his tongue. He can feel the muscles in James' stomach starting to tense. He wants to watch this. He wants to see all of James as he comes. He moves his hand on James' cock, lengthening the strokes and sucks one last time on the head. James whimpers and Teddy murmurs, "Come on, Jamie." He slips his hand between James' legs and, stroking his cock faster, presses one finger to James' hole.
"Ahh," James moans and his hips snap up into Teddy's fist and then back down, pushing Teddy's finger inside his body. "Fuck," he says, more breath than words.
"Yes," Teddy hisses as James comes, head thrown back, clutching his own hair, mouth open as if to scream.
"Oh, god, Teddy, god," James says, still thrusting into Teddy's had. "Come here, come here." He pulls on Teddy's shoulders and hauls him up into a kiss.
Teddy is hard and aching. He presses his body against the length of James', and it won't take much. James feels strong and solid beneath him. His skin is hot and smooth and Teddy moves against him, sliding his cock between James' legs. James' softening cock and his belly are slippery with his come and there's just enough friction to drive Teddy mad.
James kisses him, deep and hard, and rocks against him, urging him on. Teddy's can feel James' cock and balls pressing against his. He fucks between James' thighs and James wraps his leg around Teddy's hip, and Teddy can feel what it will be like to fuck him.
"Jamie," he groans. "So good." He presses against James, the thought of fucking him so vivid in his head, and his orgasm tears through him, making him shudder and gasp. He collapses onto James, feeling his heart pound against James' chest. It's like the genie's bottle. He'd be content to lie here forever, except this feeling is real.
"Oi," James says, slapping Teddy on the arse. "You're heavy and I'm meant to be resting."
Teddy slips to the side and can't help but grin at the sight of James who looks as content and pleased with himself as Teddy feels. "And here I was just thinking that I could stay like that forever."
"Oh," James says. His smile softens. "Although, I reckon we'd have to move sometime."
"Probably. There's work and food and such."
"Work," James says, sighing. "Bill will split us up now for sure."
Teddy leans and kisses him on the lips. "You planning on marching into his office tomorrow and announcing that I'm fabulous in bed and you finally know it?"
"No," James says, giving Teddy a playful shove. "Idiot. I just thought it'd be obvious to him. We should have a plan."
Teddy rolls onto his back and pulls James on top of him. He runs his hands down James' back and kisses him again. He can talk sense to Bill if it comes up, he sure of that, but James is kissing him back and moving against him, and he has more important things to think about right now.