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Seamus Finnigan ([info]openbottle) wrote in [info]finnigans_rpg,
@ 2014-10-19 13:34:00

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Entry tags:character: dean thomas, character: seamus finnigan, status: complete

Hey soul sister
Who: Seamus, Dean and [NPC] Jess
What: Family
Where: York
When: Sunday
Rating: SFW?

Seamus should have been happy. His new chef was working out, he was adequately fed every day, he'd had a good date with Justin, the Kestrels had won. On top of that, he'd even slept well Friday night and Battlescars had gone well. His friends were living their lives, no one seemed to be in particular distress. Everything was good and Seamus knew that those times were rare - so he should have been happy. The fact that he wasn't, that he was walking around feeling as if he had an itch under his skin that he couldn't get to, was really pissing him off.

He wasn't stupid. He knew it was to do with Dean dating, to do with the fact that things were going well with Ophelia and he and Dean had barely seen each other this week. Ever since the cuddle party, Seamus had been seriously questioning whether he would ever be able to date successfully. Dean managing to find someone so soon after that was just an unfortunate reminder of everything Seamus wasn't sure he could have. And, to compound matters, it also meant less time with his best friend to take his mind off it. Watching the Quidditch with Justin had been good, a great distraction, and Seamus hadn't been comparing it to seeing Dean at the time but - but it wasn't the same.

He stood at the door of The Den, saying goodbye to his friends and answering a few questions from people who were new or who turned up only infrequently. He was aware of Dean, waiting for him, but he didn't rush. Battlescars was important to him, and they had a little while before they'd planned to meet Jess anyway. Dean wouldn't expect him to rush.


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[info]artistdean
2014-10-19 04:14 pm UTC (link)
Dean hadn't said much at the meeting since between an uneventful week and the fact he'd taken the weekend off in an act of self care he was actually feeling fairly good. The only thing weighing on him was that he hadn't got around to telling Ophelia the details of his PTSD issues yet, but since he had half a plan to do that in the next few days he'd decided he could wait until next week to discuss it. He'd watched a variety of his friends on and off throughout the meeting as he listened to others talk. There was something off about Seamus, although he had no idea what. He hadn't actually shared it. Then again it wasn't like Dean had any inside clues this last few weeks.

He puttered around moving some chairs as people left, making himself useful until Seamus was done. It wasn't like they were in a rush. Plus he needed to go up to the flat and grab the cherry and almond cupcakes he'd stashed there before the meeting started. Thankfully after Seamus had headed downstairs or there was no chance of the dozen all making it to York.

When the last person other than the two of them had finally left he took out his wand to finish the chair-moving job. "You about ready to go?" he asked. "I need to grab the cupcakes I made for Jess from upstairs, but I'm good to go otherwise."

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[info]openbottle
2014-10-19 04:45 pm UTC (link)
Seamus glanced up, seeing Dean sort the chairs out for him. He did a mental check, making sure everything in his pub was ready to survive without him for a few hours. "Yeah," he agreed eventually. "I'm ready. We can apparate from upstairs." He let Dean lead the way so he'd be less tempted to grab one of the cupcakes that he apparently wasn't allowed to eat.

They walked in silence into his flat - but not their usual companionable silence. It was a silence of not knowing what to say, something that hadn't existed between them for years. Seamus didn't know what to say to break it. Part of him wanted to talk about Justin, about his invitation to go for a massage. Seamus wasn't angry about it, but it had surprised him that Justin could just... forget his scar like that. He knew it should be a good thing - that Justin didn't think of his scar as something that should stop him doing things but he'd also thought that Justin knew him better than that.

But they couldn't talk about Justin, and Seamus didn't want to talk about Ophelia so - "Susan's thinking of moving house," he said. He knew Susan wouldn't him telling Dean, if she hadn't told him already. "Wants me to pose as her boyfriend when she eventually finds somewhere."

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[info]artistdean
2014-10-19 07:07 pm UTC (link)
Dean hadn't felt quite so out of place with Seamus for... a long time. The silence was almost oppressive and he hated it. Something had shifted at some point and he'd failed to recognise it. He was busy, sure, but, crap was this a him dating again thing? He hadn't dated anyone in about a year. He sighed quietly as he pushed the door to the flat open, lost for what to say.

He picked up the box of cupcakes from on the table where he'd set them and gestured to the four he'd stuck on a plate. "I did enough for you too, well some anyway. I thought I'd better do enough for greedy flatmates for Jess," he said rather lamely.

"Oh, yes she told me about that last week. Although I'm just being roped in to move. Why the hell've you got to be her boyfriend?" he asked, just shy of demanding. He'd thought Seamus was still seeing Justin sort of, especially since he'd won a date with him, although he wasn't totally sure, or wanting to bring it up. "I mean, I, er... you know ... you're gay." He shuffled his feet a bit feelingly completely out of sorts.

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[info]openbottle
2014-10-20 12:34 pm UTC (link)
Seamus raised an eyebrow at that. "Pretty sure Susan knows that," he said. She ought to, considering she'd been one of the first people he'd told. "I don't know, something about housing agents being sexist. And you're..." Taken. "Busy. Anyway, I can pretend to be straight, as long as I don't actually have to do anything." This conversation had so much potential to be hilarious, but it was obvious neither of them were feeling it.

Seamus reached for his coat, figuring York might be cooler than London, and anyway they might go for a walk to something, or be left waiting outside by Jess. He fished a pack of exploding playing cards out of one pocket and set it (gently) on the counter. He didn't like to have them on him around Dean, just in case. Besides, they were going out in the muggle world and he didn't fancy having to call the obliviators.

"We ready then? You'd better side-along us. I don't know York."

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[info]artistdean
2014-10-20 09:32 pm UTC (link)
"I know she knows, but you know what I mean, it just seems... oh never mind," he said, flailing mentally and verbally for his usual ease with Seamus. "Housing agents are apparently the arseholes," he finished pathetically.

Dean settled the box under his arm and nodded. "Yeah, Jess scoped out a couple of safe spots and emailed pictures to Cat back at the start of term. She sent them to me. Complicated system but it should work." Dean had only made one brief visit to York, for the predicted bringing of forgotten items, and that time had been in fresher's week and Jess had been so busy he'd only stopped twenty minutes.

He grabbed Seamus' arm tight and concentrated, appearing an instant later a short walk from Jess' Halls of Residence. "This way," he said, letting go and setting off, still at a loss for what to really say.

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[info]openbottle
2014-10-22 12:48 pm UTC (link)
"Apparently," Seamus agreed. He wasn't sure what it seemed - feeling as if they were a little off-kilter. Normally, he'd know exactly what Dean meant, but tonight he had no idea what he was getting at. "What, you think I can't even be a fake boyfriend? I know it's been a while but I think I'll manage." He meant for it to be a joke but there was a slight bitterness in his tone. 'A while' was something of an understatement.

The apparition went smoothly as ever and Seamus followed, glancing around at the unfamiliar surroundings as he hurried to keep up with Dean's longer strides. "So how's Jess doing?" he asked, assuming Dean had heard form her since she'd moved - more than just to get photos of apparition spots.

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[info]artistdean
2014-10-22 03:54 pm UTC (link)
"No! I'm sure you make a great boyfriend, real or fake!" he said, feeling oddly defensive at Seamus' tone. "I just thought it all seemed a bit unnecessary, pratish estate agents aside, plus you've been seeing Justin," he said, muttering the last bit slightly mulishly. Circe what was wrong with them? They pretty much never missed each others' meanings.

Dean was concentrating on navigating to the correct building (Derwent College block C, up on the second floor) he answered absently as they walked. "Pretty well I think, her course is one of those with a lot of lectures and time spent doing experiments and stuff so she's apparently always busy. Plus all the social stuff. Sounded like she was happy for a visitor or two though. Journey takes a while without magic," he said.

Finally alighting on the right place he gestured, pulling out the mobile phone his family had got for him, finally in a place where he could use it. "Let me just call her to let us in or come down and meet us," he said, concentrating for several long seconds on finding Jess' number and pressing the appropriate button to call her.

It took several rings for her to answer, which Dean spent shuffling awkwardly, looking at Seamus.

"Hello?" came the rather garbled voice of his sister. She sounded half asleep despite it being gone noon.

"Hey, Jess. You want to come let me and Seamus in?" he asked brightly.

"Oh, God," she groaned. "Too early."

"Late night?" he asked, making a face at Seamus to try and explain.

"Yes," she said, dragging the word out. He could hear hear her shuffling around with something. Hopefully heading in their general direction. "Gimmie a few." Then she hung up.

"She's on her way. I think. Also hung over by the sound of it. We should probably wait by the door," Dean said after looking to check he wasn't still connected.

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[info]openbottle
2014-10-24 01:38 pm UTC (link)
Seamus, who thus far in his life definitely had no experience of making a great boyfriend, snorted skeptically. "I'll have to do, I suppose. For Susan." Justin could surely find someone better, if he ever wanted to. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he followed Dean through the streets to Jess' building, listening but finding little to respond to.

He leaned against the wall as Dean phoned Jess up - laughing almost against his will at the face Dean made when he discovered the state she was in. "At least she's living the university experience," he said, offering a smile as they neared the door. "If she lets us in, I can apparate back for some hangover potion..." He kept some on hand just in case - he did work in a pub, after all. "Or if you're feeling big brotherly we can make her face the consequences of her actions and take her out for lunch anyway."

He was interrupted from any further thoughts on the matter by Jess, wearing a dressing gown and displaying wayward hair, jerking the door open and immediately holding a finger to her lips to warn them to be quiet. "Jess!" Seamus said, in a stage whisper that earned him a sharp look. He held up his hands. "We come in peace."

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[info]artistdean
2014-10-24 03:01 pm UTC (link)
"Oh, I'm not begrudging her a bit of fun, she seems to be earning it, but we should probably not give potions to the muggles. And if she's not got paracetamol around she can suffer a bit," he said with a shrug. Definitely feeling a bit big brotherish, and faintly out of sorts. "Plus we're going to feed her, and she's not throwing up so that should actually help."

Dean rolled his eyes and suppressed a laugh at Jess' appearance. She looked like the proverbial bear with a sore head. "Also cupcakes," he said quietly, offering her the box, which she snatched off him with a muttered, "Sadists," and headed back inside. He shook his head and followed her inside, climbing the stairs behind her.

"Coffee. I'll get dressed," she instructed, depositing them in a largish kitchen on her floor and pointing at the appropriate equipment, before opening the box of cupcakes and shoving one in her mouth.

She disappeared back through the door before Dean could demand the 'magic word', or further instructions.

"You want one?" he asked, poking in the upper level cupboard marked 'Jess' for coffee and mugs. He'd seen his sister hungover before, this was pretty much standard operating procedure. If they fed her something with caffeine in she'd perk up a bit.

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[info]openbottle
2014-10-27 04:10 pm UTC (link)
"It's not like she doesn't already know," Seamus grumbled. What harm could giving Jess a potion possibly do when she already knew about the magical world? It wasn't as if they were breaking the statute. Still, it was Dean's decision and Seamus didn't question it - much.

Seamus took his place at the large kitchen table, looking around with interest. The whole student and university thing was relatively new to him, though a few of his muggle friends had drifted off to institutes of learning after taking their exams. He'd never been to visit them, though, and none of them had come to York.

"I'm alright, thanks." He was feeling better rested than he had in days, and they'd hopefully be heading off soon and he didn't fancy having to down hot coffee. He looked longingly at the cupcakes, but didn't reach for one. He had his own waiting at home.

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[info]artistdean
2014-10-27 07:51 pm UTC (link)
"Yeah, but wizards live longer and stuff, so is it a biology thing or a use of magic thing or... I just don't want to risk it," he said, shrugging. It wasn't that he wanted her to suffer, but he really did worry about potions sometimes.

Pulling out a mug for Jess he dumped in instant coffee and put the water on to boil. He poked in the fridge looking for milk with her name on and finding none. "Bugger!" he said. "I don't think she's got milk. I better ask her whose to steal."

He wasn't quite sure what to do with himself while they waited for her to return, idly looking around the room, hoping nobody else was going to show up. Brother turning up was easy enough to explain, but he had a feeling everyone would assume he and Seamus were together, although given how poorly they were communicating recently that might be a little bit less likely.

They were lucky (barring the uncomfortable situation) that nobody appeared and just as the kettle finished boiling Jess slouched her way back into the kitchen, now dressed in slouchy but presentable clothes, hair somewhat tamed and shoved under a headscarf. Dean knew better than to comment on that one. He thought she might have washed up too.

"So, how goes life in hidden London?" she asked, zeroing in on the mug Dean was pouring water into and snatching it off the side when he was done. She crossed to the fridge and grabbed one of the bottles and sloshed it at her coffee, before inhaling happily.

Hidden London was a pretty standard code for the magical world in his family, it generally seemed innocuous enough to any listeners.

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[info]openbottle
2014-10-29 02:48 pm UTC (link)
Seamus turned on his seat to face Jess, giving her a wider grin than really felt natural on his face this morning. "Much the same," he answered. "At least, for me." He wasn't going to bring up Ophelia if Dean didn't, but he'd probably already told her. "Work, work, work, no rest for the wicked - pick your cliche."

He pointed a finger at her, still taking care not to talk too loudly. "By far the more important question is.... how's university? Do you get on with everyone? Fill me in, I don't have the luxury of being able to phone for a chat."

Talking to Jess was somehow easier than talking to Dean - which was weird. That had never been the case, not even at the height of her crush on him when she'd done everything in her power to capture Seamus' attention and steal him away from her brother for a conversation. Seamus craned his neck to glance at Dean still over by the kettle, trying to include him in the conversation without having to put it into words.

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[info]artistdean
2014-10-29 08:30 pm UTC (link)
"And I thought you were one of the nice boys," Jess said, waggling her eyebrows over her mug at Seamus as she took a sip. Dean just rolled his eyes. At least now she was only joking with Seamus.

Jess wandered over to Dean and hugged him with her non-coffee-holding arm, keeping the one with hot liquid well away from his body. He hugged her back, smiling. "Hey, bro," she said before turning back to Seamus and walking in his direction, grinning. "It's awesome, dude! I mean the hangover sucks but the party last night was great. And nobody on the corridor is a total dickhead," she said, slurped some coffee and continued. "One of my lecturers is, but it's only a ten credit module so I don't have to see her much. It's hard work, but it's good. Definitely picked the right course even if I do have stupid assignments sometimes."

Dean was leaning against the kitchen counter smiling as he listened to his sister. Sure he'd heard some of this when he'd phoned her, but it was good to see her again.

"And it's not like he manages to phone that often. Something about a show coming up, hmm?" she said, turning to look at Dean with mock accusation on her face.

He held up his hands. "Hey, you're not Mum, you don't get to boss me around!" he said. "And I've done this before, you know what it's like."

Jess just snorted and plonked herself next to Seamus, but facing Dean. "Yeah, and then there's some French girl, right? What's she like?" she said, turning to Seamus. "It's not like he's going to give me anything useful to tell Mum."

"Oi! No grassing. I'll tell her you were hungover!" he said, finishing rather lamely. It wasn't like their mother hadn't seen Jess hungover before, although she hadn't been all that mad. It wasn't like he'd actually do it either. He just didn't really want their parents to know about Ophelia just yet.

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[info]openbottle
2014-10-29 10:43 pm UTC (link)
It was only while watching Jess slump over and lean into a hug that Seamus realised he and Dean hadn't hugged in greeting - had barely touched at all, in fact. It wasn't something he thought about normally, but today it seemed a symptom of the greater problem. He'd been moping about having no time with Dean all week, and here he was not taking advantage of the time when he did have it. Feeling like an idiot, he leaned to bump his shoulder against Jess' as he turned back around and rested his arms on the kitchen table.

"It's true," he agreed, tilting his head and giving Dean a slightly apologetic look. "I've barely seen him." And then, just as Seamus was starting to feel better Jess had to ruin it by bringing up Ophelia. Seamus fought to keep his expression from falling. He knew it was petty and selfish, to be jealous, but he couldn't seem to help it. There was no Ophelia on the horizon for him and it just made him feel inadequate.

He shook his head, focusing on Jess again. "You'll get nothing useful from me, I haven't even met her." Which was partly his own fault for being busy, but he wasn't mentioning that.

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[info]artistdean
2014-10-30 02:34 pm UTC (link)
Dean gave Seamus a slightly apologetic look right back. He knew if he wanted to he probably could have spent more time with Seamus, despite the fact he was busy with the show prep.

"Bloody useless you are," Jess said with a humph, curling into her coffee slightly grumpily and drinking more. "Depriving me of dirt. I'll wangling it out of you when I'm feeling more awake."

"Finish your coffee, and we can go find somewhere to eat. Unless you booked?" he asked.

"Yeah, and I can work out what's going on with you two," Jess said, pointing a finger between them. "Because you're usually attached like bloody limpets, or at least a good double act, and this is pathetic. And yes, I booked. There's a decent pub that doesn't just cater to the student crowd not far away."

Dean winced. Jess was annoyingly perceptive at times and apparently the coffee was kicking in. This was't a conversation he didn't really want to have. He appealed mutely to Seamus, trying to convey they could sort this between themselves and not drag Jess into it.

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[info]openbottle
2014-10-31 02:52 pm UTC (link)
Seamus shook his head. "There's nothing to wangle. I literally know her name, that she's French and that she makes..." he frowned in an effort of memory, glancing at Dean and feeling yet another stab of guilt that he didn't even know such basic information about someone who was obviously important in Dean's life. "Pottery?" Dean had said something about the oven required, he was pretty sure. He turned back to Jess and shrugged. "I admit to being bloody useless."

His stomach dropped uncomfortably at Jess' next words - but he caught sight of Dean's wince and mute appeal before he could reply, so he kept his mouth shut. He wanted to say there was nothing going on with the two of them, it was just him - with his petty jealousy and tendency - as Susan had put it - to push people whenever he felt defensive. He didn't really want to discuss any of that with Jess or Dean, but he didn't want Jess thinking any of this was Dean's fault - because it wasn't.

He put on a show of pouting. "But I wanted the real student experience," he complained - not seriously, of course. "I never got to do this."

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[info]artistdean
2014-10-31 07:52 pm UTC (link)
"Ceramics, lots of jewellery, some other stuff," Dean said, slightly disappointed when he realised Seamus really didn't know anything about Ophelia. Sure they'd not met, but he'd sort of thought they'd managed to exchange more information than that. He fiddled with the zip on his jacket, not sure what else to say.

Jess just shrugged. "Fine, I'll interrogate you instead," she directed at Dean.

"Dude you went to a school to learn freaking magic, you do not get to complain," she said, then tipped her coffee mug up, draining the last of it.

"Yeah, and I'm guessing she's trying to get slightly more expensive food out of us than she can afford on her budget," he said, eyeing Jess.

She pointed at Dean in a 'got it in one' sort of way as she stood up to give her cup a rinse. "Score one for my brother," she said. "My food budget is pathetic, you are not taking me to a crap student pub. We can go to the place the flash students go to on dates," she said with a wicked grin. "Let me grab my coat and boots," she said, pulling keys out of her pocket and disappearing to her room.

"Sorry. We did say we'd take her for good food," he said, while they waited for her to come back.

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[info]openbottle
2014-11-04 04:58 pm UTC (link)
Seamus gave a soft sigh at the reproachful look Dean was giving him, but didn't say anything. He knew he needed to do better, but there was a pretty big gap between knowing that and actually being better. "I don't mind," he said, once Jess had left. "Good food is good." He'd only been making conversation, really.

Speaking of which, as soon as Jess had disappeared, the weird tension had flooded over them again and Seamus didn't know what to say. Well, that wasn't quite true. He was pretty sure he should say something about how he'd meet Ophelia soon - but he didn't want to. Again, there was that difference between 'should' and reality.

Jess returned before Seamus could think of anything sensible to say, and he sprang up, clapping his hands and forcing a bright smile. "Come on, then. If I stare at those cupcakes any longer I'm going to turn into one. Let's get going."

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[info]artistdean
2014-11-04 10:32 pm UTC (link)
Dean stood awkwardly waiting for Jess to return. He was half tempted to make himself coffee just so he had something to do. Given that they were likely to be leaving in about three minutes it seemed like a stupid thing to do. He couldn't quite think of anything else to say.

Thankfully Jess returned quickly and he managed to smile brightly at her and re-zip his jacket, push off the counter and move towards the door.

"C'mon, sis, show us this place and tell us about whatever you were doing last night that left you like a troll with a sore head," he said, feeling slightly fake still.

Jess lead them back down the stairs and then squinted, looking between the pair of them with calculation. "The college had a thing, I drank a couple too many and got to bed at three, not that you actually care that much. You're deflecting. The pair of you. You need to kiss and make up," she said, giving them both significant looks. "Not actually kiss, because I am well aware of that particular argument thanks, but my point stands. You're being weird. Both of you."

Dean groaned and followed as Jess strode off quickly towards wherever it was she'd booked a table at. He shot Seamus an apologetic look, wondering if they could paper over the cracks at least long enough to fool Jess, since he had a feeling this wasn't really the time to make real progress with whatever it was they were trying to do to each other. "Jess," he said, feeling and sounding slightly like a whining child.

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[info]openbottle
2014-11-06 02:11 pm UTC (link)
Given the wording of Jess's demand, there seemed only one reasonable thing to do - kiss Dean. Normally, Seamus wouldn't have minded, it wouldn't have been the first time, but something about being in public, in an unfamiliar place made it seem a way bigger deal. Still, Seamus forced himself to smile through the weird tense feeling that had settled in his stomach. Once they reached their destination, Seamus wrapped an arm around Dean's waist and reached up on tiptoe to plant a loud, obvious kiss on his cheek.

"Tell your sister that there's nothing wrong, would you?" he teased as he pulled away, hands restlessly smoothing down his t-shirt. He could feel his cheeks heating up, certain that anyone who'd spotted them through the window would now be convinced they were together. But why should it matter? They didn't know anyone here, it wasn't as if word would get back to Ophelia... Once again, the thought of her twisted something in Seamus' gut. He'd always resented having to keep his distance from Dean to avoid scaring off his partners. He reminded himself that he was only being so weird because he felt like he was missing out - on having someone in his life. Justin was all well and good, but it wasn't the same.

He met Jess' eyes, giving her a defiant tilt of his head and a smile. "'The college had a thing'?" he asked. "Come on, give us the gossip! I promise to hold him back if he tries to come over all brotherly." He jerked a thumb at Dean over his shoulder and once again attempted his puppy-dog eyes on Jess. He supposed he should be glad it wasn't working - Jess' brief period of wanting to do anything in her power to please him had been weird.

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[info]artistdean
2014-11-06 04:14 pm UTC (link)
Dean wasn't exactly expecting the kiss when it came, even though he probably should have been. The little swoop somewhere in the region of his stomach made him swallow and immediately set about ignoring, even as a little smile tugged at his lips.

"Oh come on you massive pair of berks," Jess said, clearly amused and used to their antics.

"We're fine, Jess," he said obediently. He didn't quite feel it yet, but they were at least making enough of a show of it to get through lunch with his sister.

"Table for three under Thomas?" she asked man who had come up to seat them. He was a shortish man with red hair, and around Jess' age. He was almost certainly a student working to get some more money. He consulted a book and nodded, leading them to a table set for three.

"Could I get you drinks, or would you like some time to decide?" he asked, setting menus before them.

Dean glanced at the other two and shrugged, sliding into the seat that was effectively in a slight corner by a pillar or column of some sort supporting the wall it was protruding from, protecting his back from surprises. "I'll take a large lemonade please, no ice."

"Small glass of house white for me," Jess added, settling opposite her brother with a smile for their waiter.

After Seamus had given his choice and the waiter had bustled off Jess grinned. "Okay, I shall satisfy your need for gossip. There was a party. My college is famous for its parties. They turn most of the public areas into a massive club. Couple of my friends from lab came too and we did a few shots, danced a bit, well a lot really. I didn't meet anybody," she said shooting a look at Dean that made him wince and try to look calm. "Well, there was this guy who tried to dance with me, but he stopped pretty quickly when I called him out. Told him to smeg off."

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[info]openbottle
2014-11-06 05:20 pm UTC (link)
Seamus grinned, glad they seemed to have got Jess off their case - at least for now. He followed Dean to his side of the table, sitting between him and the rest of the customers and trying to look as if he felt natural being there - even though he didn't, quite. He glanced at his watch - was it too early for something alcoholic? But then Jess ordered wine and Seamus treated her to a smile. He had a short conversation with the waiter about the available beers and ciders before finally settling on one he was vaguely familiar with from trips to the muggle world.

He listened as Jess talked about her college and its parties, raising an eyebrow as she mentioned the guy she'd chased off. "Not your type?" he asked, curious. "No gorgeous curls and charming Irish accent?" If he and Dean were going to be uncomfortable, Jess could be too - even though it embarrassed Seamus almost as much. He risked a quick glance at Dean, remembering the time not so very long ago when a joke about dating his sister had set Dean off... He bit his lip, hoping that didn't happen here. Just in case, he sat back and made his body language as unthreatening as possible as the water returned with their drinks.

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[info]artistdean
2014-11-06 06:43 pm UTC (link)
"More like the type who thinks hands on my arse and being all sweaty and grindy is a good way to introduce himself. Not that I'd say no to cute Irishmen," she said, ducking her head to examine her menu closely. "Might go for one closer to my age this time though," she muttered. She cleared her throat awkwardly and threw them both and awkward smile.

"You're really having a good time, though?" Dean asked, reading his menu distractedly.

"Yup!" Jess replied cheerfully. "Really am. You really don't need to go all Big Brother is watching you on me, or just general big brother. I promise I'll send for Susan if I've got a problem! Plus I've been going to self defence classes and I've watched Miss Congeniality." Dean just rolled his eyes, knowing better than to argue.

"So, tell me about the pub, how's it going? Dean said something about journals?"

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[info]openbottle
2014-11-06 08:20 pm UTC (link)
"Ugh," Seamus grunted, grimacing in sympathy. Even since the battle of Hogwarts he'd been particularly sensitive to people getting their hands all over him in clubs as a method of 'introduction'. He returned Jess' smile, awkward or not, and raised an eyebrow. "Straight, too," he suggested. "Or bi. Whatever - just definitely not exclusively into guys."

He popped the top off his cider and poured it into the glass provided, then let his fingers brush briefly across Dean's wrist as reassurance, knowing he was likely still a little worried, despite Jess' reassurance. "Susan is scary," he confirmed. "Unless you know how to handle her, like we do, then she's a lamb. Mostly." He hadn't forgotten her blunt words to him at lunch, but he knew she meant well.

"It's keeping me busy," he answered Jess' question. "Maybe too busy, lately. The journals all link up, so more and more people find out about events and clubs and stuff, which means I feel like they need to be really good every week, in case someone new turns up..." He shrugged, knowing it was a perfectionist streak in him which really only came out at work. Most things he was willing to be more laid back about. "We've had some new clubs start, too. My chef started a sort of LGBT+ thing."

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[info]artistdean
2014-11-06 09:39 pm UTC (link)
"Yeah. I'll be trying not to make that mistake again," Jess said, pulling a face at Seamus.

Dean accepted his drink with a smile as they arrived and took a sip. "She could probably show you some moves too, to go with your self defence," Dean offered. "But Seamus is right. If she likes you she's awesome, if still occasionally a bit scary." He knew very well she did it out of love, so he didn't mind too much.

"Oh, that's really cool. All internet-like. You shouldn't stress though," she said, trailing fingers idly through the condensation building up on her wine glass. "Oh, see, space to find yourself a boyfriend!" she said brightly. "Right?" she said, nudging Dean's feet under the table.

Dean shrugged, thinking it might not be a great idea to tell Jess about Seamus' sex life. Or whatever he was classifying his thing with Justin as now. "I don't think that's the point of it, but I've not actually made it yet" he said. "Romeo's a nice guy though. Calls this one sir," he said, jerking a thumb at Seamus, still rather amused by the fact.

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[info]openbottle
2014-11-07 12:00 am UTC (link)
Seamus' face settled back into it's previous strained expression as his stomach seemed to twist uncomfortably. He opened his mouth to speak, to deny the suggestion, then shut it again. Even though he thought it extremely unlikely he'd meet anyone at Q-Topia - or, indeed, ever - he wasn't sure he was willing to admit as much to Jess. She was one person who still thought he might be capable of the whole relationship thing, and Seamus felt like he'd been losing that a lot lately. First Dennis at the cuddle party, seeing at last the reason Seamus couldn't hold onto a boyfriend, then Susan all but telling him he'd be alone if he couldn't stop pushing people away. And then there was Dean. Logically, Seamus knew that Dean hadn't said or done anything to imply he thought Seamus incapable, but it felt as though he had. Or maybe it just felt like he was leaving Seamus behind.

After an awkward silence, Seamus caught up to Dean's last words and he nodded. "Makes good food, too," he said. "And has a much better attitude than the last guy. I went to the first Q-Topia meeting, but that was sort of a meet-and-greet with a film showing. I should go to another one, see what's really like." The problem was it was on Sundays, Seamus' only guaranteed day off - and he already attended Battlescars and the Local Business Bureau. In the evenings he generally wanted to chill out and stop working. He'd babbled on a bit, trying to cover the awkwardness, so he ducked his head down to study his menu. "What's everybody having?"

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[info]artistdean
2014-11-07 04:34 pm UTC (link)
Dean snorted. "Almost anybody has a better attitude than the last guy," he said. Especially by the end he'd been pretty horrific.

He could see Jess wasn't quite convinced by their 'everything is fine' act, but she'd given up saying anything and was examining her menu with interest again.

"Well, I think I'll have the risotto. It's so much effort to make for yourself," Dean said, trying to divert attention, keep the conversation going. He really needed this to not go on too long.

"I think I'll have steak with chilli butter," Jess said after a short pause.

"I see you're getting your money's worth out of us," Dean said.

"Hey, my budget's tighter than yours and I have to put up with mass catering. All the pasta is overcooked and half the time the flavour aspect is salt and pepper." She scowled and wrinkled her nose. "I don't have the space or time to cook often, but I'd kill for Mum's food, but I don't have the money or time to get down to London. So, yes. I'm gonna get what I can."

Dean held his hands up in surrender. "Okay, not blaming you, just saying."

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