Author:lee_west Rating: PG Characters: Implied Gideon/Kingsley, OMCs Summary: Cousin meets cousin, and they talk about another cousin. Disclaimer: I don’t own the boys at all; if I did, their story would have a happy ending. Cousins I have, galore. A/N: Written for the AWDT prompt, "Is it okay if I bring my lover?"
When Kingsley woke up, Gideon was gone. Remembering that he had to go home with Chambers, he washed and dressed quickly and made the Floo call to his cousin's friend's flat. She answered with a smile and invited him to come over, but Kingsley told her he and Chambers had to be heading home. He had no interest in spending more time than necessary with his cousin, although his friend seemed nice enough.
A second later Chambers came through the fireplace and stopped Kingsley as he was about to go home. "Wait a second. I need to know what to tell Aunt Maura. What's the official story?"
"The truth. We went to the movies and then had dinner. You can say that you decided to visit a friend and Gideon and I came here."
"All right. It's better this way, so we don't get caught in lies."
"I hate lying," Kingsley said with a shrug. It was nice of Chambers to think about it, but his cousin's sudden chumminess was actually driving him mad.
"What about tonight?"
"What about it?"
"Don’t you want to see Gideon again? I can come with you and stay with Jen again."
That was awfully nice. Kingsley was about to nod when he remembered the comment about "dating." Just to make sure that Chambers understood how idiotic his comment had been, Kingsley answered with a nonchalant tone, "No, not tonight. I'm going out with Marlene." He hadn't asked her yet, as he had no intention of asking her out that night, but it would show the git that he and Gideon were absolutely not dating.
Chambers looked at him for a moment and then said simply, "All right. Let's go home then. I'm coming back to London this afternoon and will leave for home from Jen's flat." Without another word, he jumped into the Floo.
***
The next day, as soon as he arrived home, Chambers Floo'ed Santini and was welcomed with a wide grin.
"Hey! You're back! How was it with Kingsley? Friends?"
Chambers laughed wryly. "That's a tall order, Santini. He and I will never be friends." He stopped Santini's next question with a wave of his hand. "I tried. I was awfully nice, but he's the same obnoxious brat now at seventeen that he was at seven."
"What happened?"
"He blew his top because I asked who else besides you knew that he and Gideon were dating."
"What did he say?"
"He called me a git. Said they were most definitely not dating, that Gideon was his friend and I was a girl who thought everyone had to be dating because I had a boyfriend."
"Kingsley's too young, Chambers."
"No, he isn't. He's old enough to fuck half of the world, isn't he? And I tell you, I feel sorry for that bloke."
"The sportsman?" Santini asked with a sarcastic smirk.
"Yes. He's a very nice man. He admitted they're only friends, but I don't believe him."
"Why not?" Santini shifted, much more interested now.
"I think there's something there. He's more involved than that."
"Are you sure?"
"Definitely. Don't you think I know when a bloke likes another?" He laughed.
"You do. And, if you're right, it's just a matter of time."
"For what?" Chambers asked, puzzled.
"For Grandpa to hear another, "Is it okay if I bring my lover to the reunion?'"
Laughing, Chambers answered, "Did Grandpa tell you I asked him about bringing Nigel to the family reunion?"
"No, he told my dad, who told me. Dad said Grandpa was fine with it."
"He seemed to be. I didn't use the word 'lover', though. I said 'my boyfriend.' He looked at me for a second, but then smiled and said he was looking forward to meeting Nigel." He paused for an instant. "But why did you say that Grandpa will hear it again?"
"Kingsley will ask him."
"About Gideon?" Chambers couldn't hide his surprise. When Santini nodded, he continued, "I don't think so. Come on, he just said they were not dating."
"And I told you he's too young to understand that he is dating Gideon."
"Sorry, Santini, but Kingsley really doesn't consider Gideon a date."
"He likes him, though."
"As a friend, yes."
"Nope. I've been talking to him a lot, Chambers. He likes Gideon as a boyfriend."
"Did he tell you that?" Chambers said.
"Of course not. I'm a Psych-Wizard, remember? I notice those things."
"Yes, I know, but you're wrong in this case. Kingsley is way too self-centered to love someone."
"Give him time. But this conversation has put me more at ease. I was worried that Gideon was just having fun with him, and I didn't want Kingsley to get hurt. From what you told me, I think they're two hard-headed blokes who can't see what's right in front of them."
Chambers made a doubtful face. He certainly had sensed that Gideon cared for Kingsley, but hadn't felt the same way in relation to his cousin. "I don't know, Santini. Kingsley went out with that bird Marlene yesterday."
"Yes, and it's called 'denial', Chambers." Santini answered calmly.
Chambers laughed. "I know all about that word, don't I?" He remembered something. "You know, when we arrived at Gideon's flat, the first thing that Kingsley did was snog him."
"As if telling you to stay away? That Gideon was off-limits?"
"Right."
"And this doesn’t tell you anything?" Santini raised his eyebrows.
Conceding defeat, Chambers nodded. "You may be right. But he didn't have to worry about me." He smiled wickedly at his cousin. "I don't like red-haired men."