Authors:lee_west and ceria Rating: R Pairing: Gideon/Kingsley Summary: Someone finally turns of age and has a birthday party. Disclaimer: We don’t own the boys at all; if we did, their story would have a happy ending. Nor do we have any caves conveniently located near our property.
Kingsley was driving Maura insane with his impatience about his birthday. Ever since arriving home from Gideon's place, Kingsley had been in a state. He Floo'ed home with a big grin on his face and, when asked why he was so happy, he'd picked up his mother by her waist, twirled her high in the air and kissed her cheeks noisily. "Because life's great, Mum! And I'll be an adult soon!"
During that day Maura felt like Floo'ing Gideon and asking him to please take Kingsley wherever he was. Kingsley was either pacing back and forth, or asking her if it was already time to eat, when the relatives would be coming on Saturday, and if everything was ready for his party.
Finally, she couldn't stand him any longer. "No, Kingsley, today's Wednesday, for Merlin's sake. Leave me alone. I have things to take care of for your party. Why don't you call Gideon and see if he can go swimming with you at Grandpa's?"
Kingsley wrinkled his nose. "He had a meeting. I think it was for work. And then he was going to the hospital to visit the g- his brother."
"What about Benjy or Caradoc?"
He looked at her morosely. "Yeah. Maybe."
It was a look she knew well. "Don't even ask, Kingsley. No girls. Grandpa doesn't rest when you are there with girls."
He looked sincerely surprised, but Maura wasn't fooled – she knew he was a good actor. "I wasn't thinking about asking any girls, Mum."
"Good. Now go. Call one – or more – of your friends and get out of my way. Otherwise, you won't have any party at all."
***
Gideon fell into his bed, totally drained. He hadn't had much energy that morning – and grinned over the silly thought. Falling into his bed alone was slightly strange after the previous night. He needed to change the sheets; he wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he thought they smelled like sex.
The following day would be soon enough; he was too tired to find clean ones. Besides, thinking about the night before was much more fun than thinking about this night. Curling around a pillow, Gideon tried falling asleep thinking about imps and the evil, wonderful things they did to his libido.
***
Kingsley had a great time swimming with Benjy and Caradoc. In the evening the three friends went to The Wand and the Cauldron, where they met Marlene and two other girls from Hogwarts. There was a loud band playing and Marlene immediately pulled Kingsley to the dance floor.
It was strange to be dancing with her. He had unconsciously been expecting a flat chest against his and started when she pressed her breasts on his arm. The softness triggered something in him – he loved knockers in general, and Marlene's in particular. He wanted to touch them.
The Wand and the Cauldron, unlike Heaven and Shaft, didn't condone public snogging. Marlene, however, was an expert at such situations, and she positioned herself in such a way that Kingsley's arm rubbed against her nipple, making it hard.
Feeling himself get hard, Kingsley whispered in her ear, "Want to get out for a while?"
She didn't answer, but took his hand and pulled him out of the club.
***
Turning in his bed, Gideon wanted to sleep, but instead kept thinking about the night he had. He'd left enough time to stop in and see Fabian after dinner. According to the mediwitch on duty, who hadn't stopped blushing and smiling at him, Fabian was improving rapidly. He'd arrived late enough to just miss the rest of his family; hopefully he'd catch them the next day. He hadn't spent enough time with them lately.
***
Kingsley and Marlene walked briskly out of The Wand and the Cauldron without talking. There were some people around the club and they walked further up the alley until they arrived at a building, next to which there were some stacked crates. Kingsley realized that was the same place Gideon had taken him a few weeks prior. They had been well hidden then, so he looked at both sides, saw there was nobody around, and pulled Marlene into the nook.
It didn't take her more than a few seconds to open her blouse and pull her knickers down.
***
Dinner with Renee hadn't gone well. Breaking up was harder than he originally thought. Maybe he really was cold and uncaring, as she suggested. It was disconcerting that she thought that, but Gideon had been unwilling to gainsay her opinion. If he was honest, she had several good points. He did care about people: he was worried about Fabian, and he truly loved Meg.
***
Panting, Kingsley supported his and Marlene's bodies with both hands against the wall, her legs wrapped around his waist. His sex-addled mind registered a comparison between now and a few weeks prior, in that same spot, with Gideon.
It didn't escape him that the night before and that same morning he hadn't given Marlene a thought, but now Gideon came to his mind constantly. It was the newness of the thing with Gideon, he told himself. Eventually he'd be used to it and not think about Gideon so often.
Marlene slowly lowered her legs to the ground, unfurling the knickers that were hanging on her left ankle and pulling them up. While Kingsley zipped up his jeans, she closed the buttons of her blouse, wincing a little.
"What's the matter?" Kingsley asked.
"You were a little too eager with my boobs," she said. "They're sensitive against the fabric."
He laughed. "Sorry, but it's your fault for having those great knockers, you know?"
She laughed, too. "Your fascination with knockers is obvious, Kingsley. This is why I know that, although you like a piece of male arse, too, you'll never be able to be fully satisfied with a man."
A flat pale chest came to his mind. And a strange sensation of having been more than fully satisfied. Instead of answering her, he took her hand and led her back to the club.
***
As the friends were saying good-bye in front of the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace, Marlene hugged Kingsley and, licking his ear, whispered sensuously, "You just wait, Kingsley. I have the best gift for your birthday: you and me in that boathouse. I'll take me, you take yourself and find an excuse for the two of us to be alone there."
She quickly jumped into the Floo, winking at him. The flames covered her and she couldn't notice the shock on Kingsley's face.
He went home thinking how in the world he would get his birthday gift from Gideon and not from Marlene.
***
Practice was hell the following day. Befuddled by too many conflicting emotions, Gideon made more than one mistake before noon. Shaking his head clear, he set aside all his worries and concentrated on the pitch and his job. He couldn't rely on the graces of the owner forever to forgive him, and Gideon loved his job.
He had just enough time after practice to stop by St. Mungo's and check on Fabian. It shouldn't have surprised him that the first person he saw was Renee, and her huge smile at seeing him relieved some of the anxiety he felt.
"He's awake," she said, touching his arm briefly and motioning him inside the room as she left.
"Thank you!" Gideon said, grateful for the news.
Lydia was on the far side of the bed smiling at Fabian. Molly was holding Fabian's hand, crying softly on Arthur's shoulder. Bill was with them, and spread his arms out wide for Gideon to catch him as he jumped off the bed.
"'Bout time, lazy brother. I was beginning to think I would have to find a new partner."
"Never," Fabian whispered, letting go of Lydia's hand to grasp Gideon's weakly.
Leaning over, Gideon kissed his fingers briefly.
"I'll be back later, it's good to see you."
"I know," Fabian said, closing his eyes.
He didn't have much time, he had to report to the Ministry and he needed to talk to Dumbledore as well. Patting his brother's leg, Gideon grinned at him, handing Bill to Arthur after briefly rubbing his nose in greeting.
***
He didn't return until late that night. By then Molly and her family were gone. Lydia had left, too. Gideon's father was sleeping in a chair, his hand on the bed next to Fabian's arm.
"Dad?" Gideon said, shaking his shoulder slightly to wake him.
Llewellyn opened his eyes to smile at him, "I spoke with the healer finally. He said Fabian is expected to make a full recovery."
Gideon smiled at him and nodded, "It's Fabian, of course he will."
He grasped Gideon's hand, "And you, Son? It's been ages since we last spoke, or so it seems. How are you?"
"Good," Gideon pulled a chair closer so they could speak comfortably, and quietly.
***
Thursday and Friday dragged for Kingsley. He had been forbidden to be at home pestering his mother ("If you want to stay at home, Kingsley, you can't be in my way – and stop asking if everything is ready!"), so he took refuge at his grandfather's house, where Mrs. Wilcott duly pampered him.
He had great conversations with his grandfather, who seemed to be treating him differently – more like an adult already. Southwood told Kingsley new stories about his time as an Auror. Kingsley had always been excited about joining the Department, but even more after the conversations with his grandfather.
Caradoc and Benjy came over every day and that helped pass time. The three young men explored new parts of the forest behind the Shacklebolt property: it was public land, but was mostly deserted. They found a few caves and Kingsley mentally decided that they would be a great secluded place where he and Gideon could have some private fun. Smirking, he thought that, if Marlene insisted on the boathouse "gift," he'd kidnap Mr. Prewett to one of the caves. The fact that she had had the same idea had been worrying him – if he disappeared with Gideon, Marlene would probably think he'd gone to the boathouse to wait for her!
He didn't think that either Marlene or Gideon would be pleased with that.
***
He hadn't much time between practice and his meeting with the Ministry, so instead of visiting Fabian that afternoon, Gideon used the Floo to find Dumbledore and arrange a visit. Now that Fabian was awake and returning to health, he had the spare time to disappear for a short while with Order business.
Dumbledore was perched on the end of his desk as Gideon entered his office. Idly, Gideon wondered if he kept a home anywhere other than Hogwarts. They had never seen him elsewhere.
With very little casual conversation - it always surprised Gideon how formal Dumbledore was with them - he motioned him toward the Pensieve and Gideon willingly left his memories with him.
They discussed Fabian's role for a few minutes before Gideon left, citing that he wanted to visit his brother before he went home.
***
During his time alone, after his friends had left and when Southwood was "napping" – no doubt lulled by Mrs. Wilcott – Kingsley went back to one of the caves and left a few items strategically hidden: a couple of nice blankets and some lube. He hoped nobody would find them there.
His preparations were done.
***
After his meeting with Dumbledore, Gideon stopped by a grocer for a few things before going to see his brother. Kingsley, the sadistic imp, had left him a small piece of parchment on his desk somehow while Gideon hadn't been paying attention.
1. Lube 2. Sheets - nice ones! 3. Lube 4. Food 5. Lube 6. Mat for knees 7. Lube!
He'd found it the following morning, and had laughed heartily, placing it in the pocket of his robe until he had time to deal with it.
Sienna, Fabian's owl, had came home with him days ago and Gideon, feeling silly about the whole thing after the smirk the clerk gave him in the checkout line, wrote a quick note to Kingsley for her to deliver.
Went shopping. Have food. You owe me.
He sent Sienna off with the letter as he used the Floo to go to St. Mungo's.
***
"Kingsley, dear, owl for you," Mrs. Wilcott walked to the terrace where Kingsley was engaged in a fierce chess battle with his grandfather. He didn't recognize the owl, and thought it was probably from a school friend belatedly confirming his or her presence at his party.
To his immense surprise, it was a message from Gideon. So Mr. Prewett had gone shopping! I hope he bought enough lube! Kingsley thought, biting his lip to suppress a laugh. He planned to make good use of all that lube in the days between his birthday and his return to Hogwarts.
He also hoped that Santini and Gideon would hit it off. He wanted to spend some time in Italy with Gideon.
With a much happier face, he sat down to be completely thrashed by Southwood.
***
Saturday morning Kingsley woke up with the sound of his bedroom door being flung open, a loud war cry and a very heavy body dropping on top of his.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" Kingsley screamed, having his dream of shagging Gideon in the cave rudely interrupted just as they were about to come.
"Wake up, dolt! I'm here and I have the whole day planned for us. It's our last chance of doing illegal things. Get your lazy arse off the bed, come on!"
Hearing Santini's voice, Kingsley smiled. "You're a total git, Italiano! I was almost coming!"
"Really? With whom?"
"Gideon."
Santini sat up in bed. "The sportsman? Still dreaming about the impossible shag?
Kingsley's face was pure mischief. "Impossible shag? Eat your words!"
"What do you mean?"
"WE DID IT! We fucked. Really fucked!"
"You WHAT?"
"We fucked. Shagged. Went all the way. You know," Kingsley smirked, elbowing Santini.
"What made him change his mind?"
"No idea. I didn't ask," Kingsley laughed.
"So, you got your birthday present early – now what?"
"I get another one on my birthday, of course."
"From whom?"
"From him, of course, dolt."
Santini had been jesting, but observing Kingsley carefully. "From him again? Didn't you say you just wanted to shag him once and that would be it?"
Kingsley shifted a little and started plucking imaginary lint from his pillowcase. "Yes. Once for my birthday. That time wasn't my birthday."
"Hmm." Santini muttered cryptically.
"What?" Kingsley furrowed his brow.
Santini stood up. "Nothing. Come on, lazybones, let's get out of bed. I want to take you to Muggle London today."
"Where to?"
"Lunch for starters. Then we have to go shopping."
"My present?" Kingsley asked with a grin.
"No. I brought your gift from Italy. You'll love it."
"What is it?"
"You'll see tomorrow."
"Aw, come on, Santini, tell me."
"Nope. Tomorrow."
"So what are you shopping for?" Kingsley knew that it would be useless to insist. Santini would never give in.
"Well, it was going to be a surprise for you when you go to Italy, but this one I can tell you – I bought a motorcycle!"
"You did? Can I drive it?"
Santini laughed. "Of course. When you come to Milan next, I'll teach you. But I want to visit this store in London that has better equipment. I need to buy two helmets."
The idea of going to London with his favorite cousin and shopping at a motorcycle shop were the incentive that Kingsley needed. He jumped out of bed with a loud "Whoop!" and rushed to the bathroom to shower.
***
Right before leaving, Kingsley Floo'ed Gideon. He wanted to remind Gideon that he should arrive as early as possible the next day. The party was scheduled to start around eleven, but he was hoping that Gideon could come and have breakfast with him and Santini. That would give his cousin and Gideon time to get acquainted with each other.
But Gideon didn’t answer the Floo call. Disappointed, Kingsley shrugged at Santini and said he would send an owl with the message.
Soon the cousins were in London.
***
They sat down for refreshments after an exhausting, but fun-filled day. Santini welcomed the time to be able to chat with Kingsley, without interruption.
It was obvious that Kingsley had been thinking a little too much about the sportsman. As they were shopping for helmets, Gideon's name had been uttered quite a few times – "I bet Gideon would like to ride a bike… Do you think I can take Gideon to Italy?" Gideon this, and Gideon that.
One didn't have to be a PsycheHealer to understand that Gideon was not the one – or two – night stand that Kingsley claimed he would be.
Kingsley was getting attached to the sportsman, although he was too young to understand that. Santini realized that it was a normal course of events in one's life – people fell for someone all the time. He wasn't worried about that. What worried him was that he didn’t want Kingsley to suffer. His cousin had a sunny disposition, and Santini would hate to see this changed because of an unrequited affection.
He didn't know Gideon, but was dying to. He needed to know what this bloke was all about.
Santini knew that he'd be able to assess what Gideon felt for Kingsley right away. If he felt that the sportsman had the ability to break Kingsley's heart, then Santini would do his best to end the relationship. Until he met Gideon, though, he could only speculate. They still had that night to have a lot of fun. He wanted Kingsley to have a great time on the eve of his birthday.
"Kingsley, Heaven or Shaft tonight?"
Kingsley scratched his ear. "Ermm…Not really in the mood for either."
That was strange. Kingsley never rejected an invitation to go dancing. When Kingsley had turned sixteen, Santini had taken him to a gay bar to celebrate his age of consent "in some culture." He'd known that Kingsley hadn't been a virgin for a while and felt that his cousin should experience things other than a quick school shag. The next day they had been out picking up women and, although Kingsley had been quite happy with both experiences, he and Santini had preferred to go to gay bars, as the blokes were there only for the sex and nothing more.
Santini remembered that Kingsley had also refused to go to a gay bar in Italy. He quickly made the connection between this abstinence and the sudden presence of Gideon in Kingsley's life. That made him a little uncomfortable. It was all right for Kingsley to be infatuated with the sportsman, but to forego the little pleasures of life because of Gideon?
Kingsley was too young for that.
"Why not? It's your seventeenth birthday, not your seventieth."
Kingsley shrugged. "Dunno. I guess I'm tired of the two places."
"Where do you want to go, then?"
"No idea," Kingsley sounded morose and worried.
"Kingsley, what’s going on? You'll finally be an adult tomorrow and you look like you're going to a funeral!"
"I do not!"
"Yes, you do. I don't want any of this. And I'll tell you what: I'm older and I can tell you what to do, yeah?"
Kingsley nodded, smiling. It was an old joke between the two cousins.
"Good. Then let's stop at Shaft for a little bit and, if you're really bored, we'll leave, okay?"
Kingsley's nod was definitely forced.
***
Santini and Kingsley went back home for a little rest before going out again. Kingsley dropped the packages on the sofa and immediately asked his mother if he had any messages.
Rolling her eyes at Santini, Maura gave Kingsley a pack of messages – he leafed through them quickly and put them on the table unopened.
"Mum, did Gideon Floo me?" he asked with a frown.
"No, he didn't. Why? Was he supposed to?"
"I Floo'ed him this morning and sent him an owl. I want him to come early tomorrow, before the other guests arrive." He looked at Santini, who was watching him sideways. "I thought you'd like to meet him, Santini. You're the same age."
Santini just nodded, still watching Kingsley cryptically.
"I wonder why he hasn't answered me. Let me Floo him again. Maybe he can go out with us tonight, Santini."
"Where are you going?" Maura asked.
"To Muggle London again, Aunt Maura. Dancing."
"Where do you go for that? I won't even ask you how you know – I'm used to the old Shacklebolt resourcefulness," she said with a fond smile.
"Oh, there are a few places. I'll take you one day, Aunt Maura. And we can dance the whole night long." He twirled her around and kissed her cheek.
"I may take you up on that, Santini. I'd be the envy of all the young women around, an old lady with two gorgeous men like you." She kissed his cheek and left the room, after announcing that tea would be served soon.
Kingsley didn't hear her; he was already kneeling in front of the Floo, calling Gideon's flat and receiving a 'no answer' signal. Frustrated, he stood up and looked at Santini. "Not home. I wonder where he is."
"You said he does work for the Aurors sometimes, yeah? Maybe he's on a mission?" Santini offered.
"Maybe. But last time he let me know he wouldn't be home."
Santini looked away. He liked the sportsman less and less: he had imagined, from what Kingsley had told him, that Gideon was having a little fun with a younger bloke. No harm in that, if the younger bloke wasn't infatuated with him. And happened to be Santini's favorite cousin.
Admitting that he was drawing on his own experiences, he figured he knew what had happened: Gideon was probably out with someone closer to his age and had no intention of return Kingsley's messages.
He'd have a nice heart-to-heart with the sportsman the next day. He was sure that Gideon would show up: maybe not because of Kingsley, but he would probably attend in deference to Southwood and McIntosh.
"Kingsley, let's have some tea and then rest. You need all your energy to dance away your last night as a minor."
***
During tea, Kingsley remembered to ask Maura if she'd knew whether Gideon had visited Fabian that day.
"No, darling. Fabian was discharged today. I imagine he went home."
"So Gideon is probably at his house," Kingsley grinned, standing up and asking to be excused. "I'll Floo him there. Be right back."
He returned a few minutes later, looking upset. He just shook his head when Maura asked him if the Prewett brothers were home.
"Maybe they are at their father's house? Or maybe at their sister's? Fabian will need a little more care."
Kingsley shook his head. "Fabian maybe, but I don't think Gideon would. I don't think he's very close to his family – well, except for Fabian, of course."
"Darling, maybe Gideon just went out with his girlfriend – Renee, yes? She was with him at St. Mungo's the day before.
"She was?" Kingsley snapped his head at his mother's comment.
"Yes. She's a wonderful girl. I hope they become more serious. He needs company in times like this."
Standing up abruptly, Kingsley addressed Santini. "I think you and I should rest. I plan to dance until morning."
***
As soon as Kingsley and Santini arrived at Shaft, a very happy Sean attached himself to Kingsley's side. When he heard that the next day was Kingsley's birthday, he promised a special birthday gift.
***
The gift was truly special, given to Kingsley in the bathroom. Sean was a good lay, no doubt, and Kingsley did his best to concentrate on the fact that it was not Gideon doing all those wonderful things to him, making him feel on top of the world.
***
Santini and Kingsley arrived at their grandfather's house in the early hours in the morning. The other cousins, who'd arrived for the party, woke them a few hours later.
Kingsley purposefully did not Floo his house to find out if Gideon had appeared. He'd decided, the night before, that he would not ask Gideon where in hell he'd been the previous day. He'd be friendly, but detached.
And he would claim his birthday present at the cave. After that, Gideon could go shag that Renee as much as he wanted. And even get serious with her, as his mother had insinuated.
He didn't care. At all.
***
All his friends arrived, but Gideon was late. Kingsley was deflecting Marlene's veiled comments about the boathouse, but, as time passed and Gideon didn't show, he started changing his mind.
Kingsley noticed Santini eyeing him worriedly, but he had no idea why. He was trying hard to control his bad mood, but as lunch was served and still no Gideon, Kingsley finally looked at Marlene and made a signal for her to start walking to the boathouse. He followed her a little bit later, but instead of going into the shed, he took her to the cave.
She was delighted with his perfect planning; the blanket was soft and she showed her gratitude for his consideration accordingly.
***
As the guests were starting to leave, late at night, Kingsley realized that, for all the talk of his wanting to shag Gideon just once, it was he, Kingsley, who had been the one-night stand.
Gideon had already had what he wanted from Kingsley.
***
Gideon considered skipping the visit to the hospital Friday night. His first match in two weeks was early Saturday morning, and he wasn't prepared at all. Actually, he was a wreck. He wasn't sleeping well, he was overtired from too much practice and Ministry work, and the visit with Dumbledore reopened several memories he had hoped were gone. It guaranteed another sleepless night for him.
He needed sleep; he wondered what Kingsley was doing. He wanted to Floo Kingsley and see if he could convince him to visit, anything to help himself sleep. He hadn't spoken to him in two days, and he was very curious as to his reaction to the short letter.
Changing his mind at the very last moment, Gideon opted to use the Floo from Dumbledore's office and go directly to St. Mungo's. Promising himself to make it a short visit, Gideon dusted the powder off his robes and walked toward Fabian's room.
It was rather late for Molly to be sitting in the corridor, Gideon thought, until he realized that she was crying, her face covered by her hands, shoulders shaking.
"Molly?" he said, kneeling on the floor in front of her. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh, Gideon," she said, throwing her arms around him, "I've been waiting to speak to you myself."
***
There was a long queue in front of the Floo, as the tired but happy guests were leaving the party. Everyone agreed that Kingsley's birthday had been a success.
Most of the Shacklebolts had already left, as the adults had to work the next day. Santini had planned to stay a little longer. Originally he'd thought he would meet the elusive sportsman and figured the three men could celebrate Kingsley's coming of age with more dancing at Heaven.
Now that his cousin had been brutally stood up, he wanted to be there for him. He knew it had been a great disappointment for Kingsley, but Santini thought it was better that way. At least he hadn't been more involved with Gideon and while it would hurt, it would pass.
He was waiting for Kingsley to finish kissing Marlene goodbye. When his cousin was done, they could go out. He was surprised, though, when his uncle Mac called him aside for a chat.
He followed Mac inside the library where his grandfather and aunt were waiting for him.
Santini looked at his relatives warily. He'd been in such situations before, being called in front of his grandfather with his parents and maybe some of the uncles, too, for a serious chat. Most of the Shacklebolt boys had been there and it had never been a very pleasant experience. He shuddered slightly, thinking that maybe the elder Shacklebolts had found out that he and Kingsley had gone dancing in a gay bar the night before.
Well, if they found out, so be it. Kingsley hadn't been a child for a long time and there was no harm done in having a bit of fun with other blokes. He and Kingsley would sow their wild oats and then find a nice girl to marry and have little Shacklebolts with. It wasn't like either one of them would shack up with another bloke.
"Is anything the matter, Uncle Mac?" he asked, breaking the silence in the room.
"Yes, Santini. We need your help."
***
Kingsley walked Marlene to the Floo, making plans to meet the next day. He was done with Gideon. He was a big git, just like his brother.
He had been much happier before he met Gideon at that game. Since then he'd had a horrible case of blue balls, having half-satisfying half-sex until that week, when Gideon had finally given in. Worse than a blushing maid, that fuckwit! Almost as if I was popping his cherry. Go fuck someone else!
He shook his head quickly, trying to dismiss the thought that even the half-sex had not been only half-satisfying. In fact, sex with Gideon had been something like he'd never had before.
And he remembered that he had been stood up. For the first time in his life.
He kissed Marlene perfunctorily and went looking for Santini. It was his birthday, damn it, and he was going to have a good time.
He walked straight into his cousin, who was waiting for him outside the living-room.
"Kingsley," Santini said with a somber voice, "Can you come into the library? Grandpa and your parents are there, and we need to talk to you."
"Why? What happened?" Kingsley asked, surprised.
"Come. You'll know soon." Santini strode towards the library, motioning Kingsley to follow him.
***
Kingsley hadn't been in one of the Shacklebolt "conferences" yet, but he'd heard all about them from his cousins. He wondered what he'd done and had a hunch it was about the night before. But then he realized it was a silly thought: Santini didn’t seem to have been chastised. Then he thought that maybe someone had seen him and Marlene. Oh, well, he was an adult now and could legally do whatever he wanted. Marlene was of age, too.
Comforted by the thought, he approached his parents boldly. "You wanted to see me?"
Unsmiling, McIntosh showed Kingsley a chair. "Sit down, Son."
The tone of voice wasn't menacing. Kingsley sat down and waited.
The other Shacklebolt men looked at each other and then fixed their eyes on Maura, who sighed, as if thinking, "Why me?" and turned to her son. "Kingsley, you became an adult today and as such have to be treated as one. You had a great party, you enjoyed yourself, but now it's time to face reality."
Kingsley was puzzled by her tone. It was obvious he wasn't in trouble, but she seemed so…somber. "What reality, Mum?" he prodded her.
"Well, you may be wondering why Gideon wasn't here today."
Oh, no! Gideon. They found out about the two of us! But they don't have to worry about that – it's over. "Well, Mum, he probably had something better to do." Like shagging that bony girl of his, Kingsley thought acidly.
"Kingsley," Santini interrupted, "he had something to do, but I'm sure it doesn’t qualify as 'better.'"
"Do you know?" Kingsley asked incredulously. Santini didn’t even know Gideon and he was excusing his appalling behavior?
Santini nodded. "Yes, I do." He smiled ruefully. "I guess it was easy to jump to conclusions for his failure of showing up for your party, but, even though I don't know him, I can say with confidence that he would have been here if he could.
"Kingsley, his father passed away Friday. Gideon has been with his family since then. Your parents heard about it late last night, while we were out, but decided to let you enjoy your party.
"Now you have to do the adult thing, and be by your friend's side. The funeral is tomorrow."
***
Meg had been his best friend since he began playing for the Arrows two years ago. He was very glad for it this weekend. He'd finally fallen apart last night, knowing he'd never see his father again, and Meg had been by his side the whole time.
He had knocked on her door late that night. Before bothering her, he had tried flying, wandering through the empty house, and talking to Fabian. His brother, still groggy from the medicine, helped a little, but not enough.
She opened the door, clad in an Arrows tee shirt, and invited him in, "What's wrong?" she asked immediately.
"Can't sleep," he said, smiling lopsidedly at her.
"That's not a surprise, Gideon."
"Maybe I shouldn't have left Renee after all," he said, sitting on the end of the bed.
"When did that happen?"
"Wednesday."
"Why?"
"We didn't want the same thing. I don't want her."
Meg sat down, leaning against the headboard, "Come here, Gideon."
He crawled up to her and she took him in her arms, resting the side of his face above her heart.
"Better?" she asked, carding thin fingers through his long hair.
He nodded and kissed her chest. Wrapping his arms around her, he settled in, closing his eyes.
"Thank you for all your help this weekend."
"Don't mention it, Gideon. You're my friend, it's the least I could do."
"How come I'm not happy with Renee? She's a nice girl, she's got a steady job, and she seems to like me."
Meg laughed, "All the girls like you, Gideon. You're a Quidditch player and a sexy, handsome bloke."
"You don't."
"I did."
"Really?"
"Yes, Gideon. Really."
"What happened?"
She paused for a moment, as if thinking, "Nothing. You make a better friend than a boyfriend, that's all."
Gideon nodded; he had to agree with that assessment. He didn't make a good date, and had left behind enough relationships to prove it.
"He's really gone, isn't he?"
"Your dad? Yes, Gideon, he is."
"I miss him."
Meg slid down, holding him tight as she got comfortable. "Of course you do, he's your father."
They were lying side-by-side on the bed, "I should go, shouldn't I?"
"No, it's all right. Sleep, Gideon. I'll hold you."
"I don't deserve you, Meaghan."
"We all deserve friends, Gideon."
"I love you, you know."
"And I love you, Gideon. Sleep."
He tried, his head moving gently as she breathed in and out. Shuffling closer, he wrapped his leg and arm around her, holding her close.
"Can't sleep, can you?" she mumbled.
"Not really."
"Not having sex with you to help. Maybe you should talk to Renee."
Gideon laughed, "Don't need her for sex, I can use…"
He felt Meg stiffen beneath him, "You didn't."
"Eh, maybe?"
"Gideon Percival Prewett, you are truly a git."
"I know."
"When?"
"Tuesday. Wednesday."
"So that's why you broke up with Renee?"
"Yes."
"Better that way. I never thought you two would stick it out as long as you did. Why aren't you going to him right now?"
Gideon laughed sarcastically, "To Kingsley? He doesn't strike me as much of a comforter. Why can't I like you? Damn, Meg, you could give me everything I need from a partner. It's not fair."
"Except that which you really want."
"Which is?"
She pushed her hips up, giggling, "And you couldn’t give me what I want, Gideon."
"What's that?"
"Fidelity."
"Harsh, Meg."
"Gideon," she sighed, moving to look at him, "Give him time. He's young still. Why haven't you talked to him this weekend?"
"Today was his party, tomorrow is his birthday. How could I ruin it for him?"
"You have to give him a chance to be there for you, Gideon. How can you know that you didn't ruin his party by not showing up?"
"He's got all his friends and family there, not to mention his list of birds and blokes that he's already fucking. He won't even miss me."
She watched him set a piece of parchment on the nightstand. Kingsley's owl had delivered a letter to him yesterday. It had been with Gideon all day, even though he hadn't commented on it. She wondered if Gideon realized he was clinging to it.
"Wanna bet?" she muttered, moving Gideon's head to her shoulder as they fell asleep.
***
Fabian had retreated to his old room at their parent's house. Molly - she was always best with someone to fuss over - helped Fabian with whatever he needed, when Lydia wasn't there. Between those two women, Gideon had to remind himself to be polite.
Gideon refused to let Molly mother him, stating baldy the first day that his mum died years ago and that he didn't want another one. She might have been offended, but she left him alone. Between her three children and being so sick lately – Fabian thought she was pregnant again – she was very busy.
Fabian was still mostly bed-ridden after his discharge from St. Mungo's a day ago. He seemed healthier, but the pallor of his skin was unsettling. He looked too much like their father and Gideon couldn't help but see the dead man in his brother. Shaking his head, Gideon tried to think about something positive.
Gideon had smiled for the first time in three days that morning when Molly and Arthur had arrived, arm in arm with the children. Bill was a quiet joy and understood more than the others that his grandfather was gone forever. Percy was a handful and Meg immediately took from Molly, playing with him and Charlie in another part of the house. Gideon had checked on them just before the internment, to find both boys tugging her neat braid loose to play with her golden locks.
***
Relieved that the funeral was almost over, Gideon took a deep breath. He was standing with Molly, Fabian was seated close by, a stream of people wafting past as they left. They were a blur of softly spoken condolences, faces blending into each other. The never-ending stream of dark robes created the illusion of night to his exhausted eyes. He was tired, and hard pressed to be polite. Yet proper he was, until he couldn't take another tearful apology and escaped out the back door of his parent's home.
They had buried their father in the plot in the wooded area behind the house, in the grave next to his mum. It had been Gideon's favorite place to play before her death, a quiet retreat from his family as a young boy.
He vaguely acknowledged that Meg had been by his side the whole weekend, their team owner assuming, as did most people, that she was mourning her almost father-in-law. Gideon had offered her one of the rooms in his parent's home for the duration, which she had quickly accepted.
It had been a maelstrom of arrangements the past three days. With Fabian unable to see to the arrangements and Molly taking care of him, most of the work fell to Gideon. For the best, he thought, both Molly and Fabian were devastated by his unexpected death. He loved his father, but didn't feel the crippling sadness that affected his siblings. The surprise of the past few days had been Meg. She remembered to invite the Aurors for Fabian, some Ministry employees for Molly and Arthur, and the rest of the team for Gideon. She arranged the meal following the burial, and saw to every single social detail that Gideon would not have considered important.
As he escaped, he remembered seeing Kingsley, standing quietly with his parents. He was sure they spoke to one another, even if he couldn’t remember the words. Strangely enough, he remembered Maura's heartfelt embrace.
***
Meg, finally able to extricate herself from the children, delivered them to Molly and Arthur. From where she was in the back of the house, she had seen Gideon sneak out the side door. Meg approached the Shacklebolts, who managed to be one of the few families left. Even they were talking of leaving – as soon as they found Kingsley.
Amused, Meg didn't tell them that the moment Gideon escaped, Kingsley had left their side to wander. She wondered if he was looking for Gideon. If so, she could direct him to the exact spot where Gideon was hiding, she knew because she had found him there twice already.
Introducing herself to the Shacklebolts as Gideon's best friend and teammate, Meg asked for permission to leave Kingsley behind when they left.
"Well, Meg, I'm not sure if it'll be appropriate," Maura said. "I think the family has been through a lot and they need the time to be alone. Maybe Kingsley can come back later, after things settle down. Of course he'll be available if Gideon needs him, but I don't want him to impose."
Meg smiled at her, thinking how to word it so it didn't sound suspicious. She knew Maura had a point, but she also knew more than Maura did concerning the two of them. "Normally, I would agree with you, but there are several things about Gideon that you don't know. He's not close to his family, except for Fabian, and Gideon will not impose on his brother at this moment. I'm sure the reason is obvious. I… Gideon is my best friend, and my surrogate family, but I can't make him laugh the way your son does.
"Gideon doesn't need sympathy right now, and knowing him the way I do, what he needs is a distraction. I've been here the whole time with him, helping make the arrangements for today, and I need some space as well."
She waved a hand to indicate the house, "What I can do best for the Prewetts is finish the funeral and organize the clean up for them. What your son can do best, as Gideon's friend, is distract him for me. Kingsley and I are the best things for Gideon right now, not being alone as he's been all weekend."
"All right, then. Actually I think this would be a good experience for Kingsley – he is an adult legally, but I fear we have sheltered him a little too much. He's never had any personal experience with death. My mother-in-law passed away when he was too little to understand it." She sighed. "And unfortunately, considering the times we're living in and his chosen career, I fear he will have to face this kind of reality many times in the future.
"Just let Gideon know to send him home if he gets to be too much, all right?" With that, she hugged Meg briefly and Disapparated.
Kingsley was looking idly around the room, absently eating vegetables when Meg approached him.
"Hey, Kingsley. Gideon's outside somewhere, I'm going to assume he's back in the area where he buried his father. I was hoping you could talk to him."
Kingsley's eyes lit up. "Is he alone there? I was looking for him." Then he added, a little uncomfortably, "Do you think he wants to talk to me?"
Meg nodded, "Of course he wants to talk to you! He probably needs to talk to you - you're the only one that can cheer him up." She hesitated a moment, then added, "Kingsley, I know Gideon doesn't talk much about his family, he's too damn reserved. But he's really hurting from this, try and keep that in mind, will you?"
Kingsley nodded, already turning around to walk in the direction where Meg had pointed.
***
He stared at the headstone on his mother's grave already dead seven years. Gideon had mourned her passing the most. Fabian and Molly had always been closer to their father. At the time, Gideon angrily thought his father only showed interest in him afterwards to annoy his dead mum.
He wondered about his parents. He had never thought his parents liked each other; they had never done anything to make him think otherwise. It had long been a disagreement between him and Fabian in their youth. His brother believed in love, not the practicality of the arranged marriage that their parents had. He wondered for a moment what it would be like, to live a life by the side of a person he loved.
It was something to consider, here in the garden of the dead. He relaxed in the solitude, listening to the chirping of birds and noises from other animals around him. He didn't even know if his father liked this place or not. It had taken him four years to realize that Llewellyn didn't understand his youngest child. It had taken another two years to realize that his father loved him dearly, but thought Gideon corrupted by his Slytherin upbringing as a child. An upbringing his wife encouraged until her death.
He sat on the bench furthest away from the freshly turned earth, elbows on his knees, chin cupped in his palms, fingers rubbing his tired eyes. He was thankful to be away from the people, the noise, and the condolences. Part of him wanted to scream, because he had carefully buried the desire to do so all day. Here, though, he was free to express whatever emotions he wanted; no one was around to judge him.
He heard footsteps behind him and stiffened. He'd thought all the guests gone, and his family knew better than to interrupt him right then. Spreading his fingers to peek out, he saw Kingsley there, shuffling his feet to make his presence known.
"Meg sent me," he said softly. "I…I'm sorry about your dad, Gideon. I didn't know. My parents only told me last night, after my party."
Gideon remained silent and Kingsley averted his eyes. "I don't want to…intrude. I can stay, if you want to talk, or, if you prefer, I can come back later."
Dropping his hands to hang between his knees, Gideon shook his head. "Don't go, come here." He touched a spot on the bench beside him.
As Kingsley sat down, Gideon leaned back, barely rubbing his shoulder against him. He was still staring at his mother's tombstone, then softly said, "Is it wrong to miss her more?"
"Your mum?" Kingsley shrugged. "I don't know. I can't imagine being without my mum. Or my dad, I think I'd miss them equally. But I reckon if you were closer to your mum, you'd miss her more, yeah." Suddenly Gideon was looking younger than him. It was a funny thought – he had no doubts that Gideon was more mature than he was, but now he looked...vulnerable? Kingsley didn't know what it was, but, instinctively, he put his arm around Gideon's shoulders, in a friendly gesture.
It was different, to touch Gideon in a non-sexual way. Kingsley realized it felt quite nice.
"When I got to St. Mungo's Friday night, Molly was sitting in the hall outside Fabian's room. I was so afraid. Then she told me Dad's heart gave out, and he'd died in her arms two hours prior to that. They couldn't find me; I was in Dum… I was somewhere they didn't think to look.
"I was so thankful it wasn't Fabian that died. What kind of son does that make me?"
Kingsley didn't know how to answer to that; he'd never thought in those terms. He answered with what seemed logical to him. "Well, of course you wanted Fabian to be alive rather than your father. I mean, he's much younger and all that." He started speaking quickly, "You expect old people to die, not young people, right?"
Gideon, mouth gaping, just stared at him a moment, then burst out laughing. Leaning over, he rested his head on Kingsley's shoulder for a second, "Could you pick between Santini and your father? Either one would hurt, and wouldn't you be thankful it was one, and not the other?"
Straightening up, he leaned back into Kingsley's arm. "Do you know how lucky you are?"
"Yes, it would hurt with both of them – and it would hurt with my grandpa, too, but I expect him to die before either my father or Santini, no?" He looked at Gideon quizzically. "Me, lucky? Why?"
"I was thinking about my parents, before you got here. They had an arranged marriage, I don't think they loved each other, much less liked each other. Your parents do, it's very obvious. I don't think, well, I know, I never saw that kind of love growing up. They've given you a family life that most purebloods would die to have. "
"My mom and dad really love each other. When I was younger, I used to be embarrassed when they kissed." He laughed. "And they kissed all the time!"
"I can't tell you if my parents ever kissed… oh wait, they used to wish each other Happy Christmas with a kiss; and they exchanged a peck on their anniversary. Don't be too embarrassed. I'd trade you for your family without a second thought."
Sighing, he took a deep breath and pulled his legs up, wrapping his arms around them.
"It must be hard to be married to someone you don't love." He mused on the thought for a moment. "Would you ever do it, Gideon? Would you ever marry someone you didn't love?"
"I… I'd like to say no. I don't expect to marry at all. But, what if Fabian died and I was the last Prewett? Could I let the family name die? Dad wanted grandchildren, and Molly gave him some, but he hoped one of his sons would marry and have children.
"If my mum was still alive I'm sure I'd be married by now, preferably to someone closely related to the Blacks. She liked the prestige of the name."
Kingsley lay back on the bench, stretching his legs in front of him. "I'll only marry someone I love," he said with a serious tone.
"So you should," Gideon said, switching positions to look away from the graves. He turned around on the bench and leaned back, laying his head on Kingsley's chest. Kingsley looked surprised and Gideon shrugged his shoulder, "It's peaceful out here, and I don't want to go in, but I don't want to look at the graves any longer. Do you mind?"
"Of course not," Kingsley answered, circling Gideon's shoulders with his hand and rubbing a spot behind his ear with his thumb.
"I…" he wasn't sure how to word his question, and unsure if talking about it would even help. He took a deep breath and flattened his face against Kingsley's chest, listening to the rhythm of his breathing.
"Do you think…" he stopped again.
Kingsley waited for a second for Gideon to continue, then prodded. "Think what?"
"Do you think my dad was proud of me? I mean, I was a Slytherin, and Mum's baby. I'm not sure if I turned into someone he was proud of. And I never asked him. We never really talked about anything serious like that."
Having been brought up with positive reinforcement, Kingsley couldn't even imagine his mum or dad not being proud of him. They had raised him strictly, but always praised him for his accomplishments.
The conversation was foreign to him, but it was impossible for anyone not to be proud of Gideon. "I think he was, Gideon. I mean, look at you. You were a Slytherin, a pureblood, and yet you have none of their prejudices. I have a few friends – acquaintances, really – in Slytherin, and they are so stupid with their blood purity shit. You're different. Besides, you work with the Aurors and are a great Quidditch player. You do more than your fair share.
"I think he was very proud of you."
"In the end, I don't think being a Quidditch player will mean as much. I've seen some parents avoid me because of my pureblood status. It's stupid, but they act as though I don't want to talk to their kids because they're half bloods. It's the reason I don't want to be Captain, because people expect me to want it. It's also the reason I spend so much time talking to the kids. If I don't break the barriers, no one will."
He thought about the Order for a minute, and was surprised how tempted he was to talk about it. "There are other things I'm involved in that I'm proud of, but my dad didn't know about them."
Shaking his head, he moved his hand to clasp the back of Kingsley's head. "Enough of that, our whole conversation has revolved around death."
Sitting up further, he pressed his lips to Kingsley's neck, kissing along the hollow of his neck until he reached his jaw, then followed that to his chin. He paused before kissing him on the mouth, "I'm sorry I missed your birthday, Imp. I really wanted to be there."
Kingsley had been feeling very remorseful about assuming that Gideon had stood him up and thinking badly of Gideon. He shuddered a little, then took Gideon gently in his arms and returned the kiss. He separated only long enough to say, "I'm sorry, too. I didn't know why you weren't there. My parents only told me at night, after everyone had left."
Gideon almost laughed, but decided he liked the kisses too much. "Thought I opted to not go, did you?"
Kingsley nodded. "I did. Sorry about that."
Gideon kissed his chin then yawned widely, "I haven't slept well for days. Do you have to leave? Or can you stay?"
"My parents have left, so I can stay. Do you want to take a nap? Here or at your flat?"
"I want to go to bed, but I want you to stay. That's up to you, my flat would be quieter come morning; Meg, Fabian and Lydia are all here."
Kingsley didn't hesitate one second before saying, "Your flat, then." The sheer idea of being in the company of the other three made him shudder.
Gideon nodded and slowly stood up, turning around to look one last time at the graves. He whispered goodbye to his father, then followed Kingsley toward the house. "I can't leave without letting someone know I'm going. We've stayed here all weekend preparing for the funeral. Do you want to go in, or wait outside?"
Kingsley opened his mouth to tell Gideon that maybe it'd be better if he stayed outside; this way Fabian wouldn't know that he would be going to the flat with Gideon. Then he remembered that now he was an adult and the Git couldn't say anything about it.
"I'll go in to say goodbye."
Grinning to himself, Gideon suspected that Kingsley would love to say something to his brother.
Meg was in the kitchen, cleaning too many dishes by hand, "Why aren’t you using magic for that?" Gideon asked as they walked inside.
She shrugged and tossed her long braid over her shoulder.
"I spent hours with your sister's children today. While Bill is wonderful, I’m afraid she's going to regret not disciplining Charlie and Percy. This is therapy for me, I'm pretending that the dishes are Percy."
Gideon winced and turned his head to wink at Kingsley. "We're off to my flat, but I wanted to say goodbye to Fabian first. Is he in his room?"
"With Lydia," Meg said, frowning after she answered him.
Gideon glanced at Kingsley, "We'll behave, I promise.
"Kingsley, going with me?"
"Yes, of course. I want to say…goodbye to Fabian." He held back a smirk.
Meg rolled her eyes, and dried her hands; this was going to be worth watching. Following the boys up the stairs to Fabian's old room, she held back when Gideon knocked on the door and walked in, followed closely by Kingsley.
He glanced at her, but she shook her head; she wasn't stupid enough to actually get in the way of their discussion, just curious enough to want to hear it. Leaning against the wall, she stuffed her hand in her mouth. It was just in case, really, she didn't suspect that Kingsley would do anything rash at all.
"Hey brother," Gideon said as they walked into his room. He was out of his formal robes and resting on the bed. Lydia was lying next to him, under the sheets, reading a book. "I'm going home for the night, I just wanted you to know before I left."
"Sure, thank you for…" Fabian looked up, "Hello Kingsley."
"Fabian. Are you feeling better?" Not waiting for an answer, he continued, glancing at Lydia. "You must be, with this lovely nurse taking care of you." He wiggled a finger at Fabian. "But you need to rest now, all right? Sleep well." He turned to Gideon, clasping his hand on his shoulder. "And don't worry about Gideon: I'll take care of him and make sure he rests, too."
He paused for a moment and then continued, looking straight at Fabian, "Ah, do you know today's my birthday?" He turned to Lydia, smiling sweetly at her. "I'm an adult wizard now. Isn't that exciting?"
Gideon could feel heat effusing his face, but didn't try and stop Kingsley. As much as he loved his brother, Fabian had treated Kingsley awfully. While Gideon wouldn’t say anything, he felt vindicated that Kingsley did.
Rolling his eyes, he watched Fabian's eyes narrow as he stared at Kingsley, "Well, at least I'm not an accomplice any longer. Hopefully your maturity will catch up with your years soon." He turned toward Lydia, "Kingsley wants to become an Auror after he finishes Hogwarts."
Fabian smiled, "You better go, Gideon, the train pulls out soon enough, and I'm sure you'll want to say goodbye before then. It's going to be a long year."
Kingsley chortled at Fabian's comments. He thought that the man couldn't be more of a fuckwit, but Kingsley had had lots of practice in verbal sparring with his older cousins. He actually enjoyed it. "Maturity? To tell you the truth, I was an adult before I even turned seventeen." He knew that the hidden meaning of his words would not be lost on Fabian. He grinned when he saw the slight change in the Git's attitude. One point for me, he thought wickedly.
He turned to Gideon, who was standing still next to him. "Fabian's right. Time's of the essence, Gideon. We shouldn't waste a single minute of it, don’t you think? Actually," he said, motioning for Gideon to leave, "we've already wasted a lot of it."
Gideon shook his head; he wasn't up to sparring with either of them. He could hold his own with his brother, though he had to admit, it was rare that Fabian directed snide remarks against him.
He wasn't going to try to argue with Kingsley. However, he promised himself to talk with Kingsley about antagonizing Fabian. This needed done at least once, but it couldn’t continue if Kingsley wanted to become an Auror. It was ridiculous.
"I'll be right there," Gideon said, still watching his brother as Kingsley left the room. He didn't say anything until Fabian said, "I'm not going to condone your stupidity, brother."
"I didn't ask you to."
"It's not going to last."
Gideon shrugged; he had already decided that Kingsley would most likely forget him once his last year at Hogwarts began. He'd also decided that he could live with that once it happened.
"I'll be back in the morning to finish cleaning here."
Fabian nodded, and then turned away, rubbing Lydia's back.
Meg was still in the hall, frowning.
Gideon heard one question from Lydia before Meg spoke to him, "What was that about? Why was your brother letting his young friend talk to you that way?"
"That could have been handled tactfully," Meg said, pushing away from the wall and walking downstairs.
He shook his head, "It needed done, for both of them." It wasn't a conversation he wanted to continue, and turned toward Kingsley. "Ready?"
Kingsley nodded, waving goodbye to Meg, and extending his arm for the joint Apparition. He liked this closeness with Gideon when they Apparated together and was almost regretting getting his license come next spring.
***
Kingsley waited patiently while Gideon removed the wards. This was certainly different from the other times he'd been at that door and they had practically tumbled inside the flat.
As soon as they were inside, Kingsley Floo'ed his parents to let them know he would sleep at Gideon's. McIntosh agreed and Maura told Kingsley that she had expected him to keep Gideon company. Kingsley cut the very uncomfortable conversation short and went to the kitchen to prepare a cup of something hot. "Gideon, do you want tea or hot chocolate?"
Hot beverages and a biscuit were his mum's ultimate comfort food.
"Hot chocolate." Gideon smiled at him as he pulled his formal robes off - damn they itched!
Wandering to his room, he took out Muggle clothes and threw them on, then came back to the kitchen to sit on the counter while Kingsley made him a drink.
"Thanks," he muttered, holding the warm mug with both hands. He wrapped his legs around Kingsley, who leaned closer, his shoulder against Gideon's stomach as they drank in silence.
He wasn't mad at Kingsley for saying what he did to Fabian, but Gideon wondered if they'd regret being so careless later. His brother had a long memory. They couldn't chance people like Renee and Lydia finding out, especially since they worked with Maura.
Finishing his drink, he leaned forward and propped his chin on the top of Kingsley's head. It wasn't very comfortable, or conducive for drinking, as Gideon found out when Kingsley tilted his head back.
Not to mention the stubble itched his chin. Grinning at the familiarity of it, as well as knowing that no one could accuse him of such evil things as corrupting a minor any longer, Gideon leaned back and put his hands on Kingsley's shoulders, rubbing them.
Kingsley finished his drink and biscuit and turned to face Gideon. His lips tasted better for the warm liquid sticking to them, and Gideon carefully swiped them clean. Kingsley wrapped his arms around Gideon's waist and pulled him off the counter, their movements slow and tangled as they made their way to his bedroom.
It was good, that familiar feel of Gideon's lips against his. Gently he rubbed Gideon's back over the Muggle t-shirt, then let his fingers under the hem, to caress bare skin.
Slowly, carefully, he undressed Gideon, watching him with a smile as his own clothes were shed, piece by piece. Naked, they fell on the bed, locked in a tender kiss.
They stayed together like that for a little longer, just kissing and enjoying the proximity of their bodies. Kingsley threaded his fingers through Gideon's hair, softly massaging his scalp, until Gideon broke the kiss – not because he wanted, but as a reflex from having fallen asleep peacefully.
Kingsley sighed and made himself comfortable. Hugging Gideon, he soon fell asleep, too.