Title: Out Authors:lee_west and ceria Rating: PG-13 Summary: Written for the ADWT prompts "I love you" and "Right here in my arms." Two men finally come to grips with their feelings. Disclaimer: We don't own the boys at all; if we did, their story would have a happy ending. And obviously we aren't rich or crazy enough to own the Burrow. Authors’ Note: For nocturnali, muse extraordinaire, whose inspiring words were what Kingsley needed.
"I had no real reason to call this dinner…" Molly said and Gideon closed his eyes. He could hear Kingsley's silent groan across the table.
"…but I want each of you to know I consider you family. This close to Valentine's Day, I felt it's important that we meet outside of business and enjoy ourselves…"
He caught Kingsley's eye again; by now he could recognize the glint with something akin to fear. Gideon swallowed as Molly's words continued to buzz annoyingly in the background.
"… It's important that we remember why we are doing this," Molly droned on, balancing one of the twins in her arms while three young boys chased a hobbled cat across the floor.
"… while we are here, I would like to take this moment to wish Arthur a Happy Belated Birthday. My Valentine's wish for all of you is to find someone who loves you like my husband loves me."
She actually paused, and the silence caught Gideon so off guard that he rose to his feet, almost pulling his wand free.
Kingsley chuckled, obviously amused by Gideon's startled reaction. Gideon knew Kingsley understood that silence was rarer than money in this house. Not only was Molly loud enough for three people, she had managed to crowd fifteen people around the dinner table this night.
Gideon caught Fabian's eye where he sat, four women and one couple away. It was easier for Fabian to accept Molly and her ways. Personally, they grated on Gideon's nerve worse than the cry of a banshee. It was Fabian's fault he and Kingsley came at all.
They had been on their way out when the Floo flared up, with Molly sticking her head right through to invite Gideon to dinner. She didn't seem surprised to find Kingsley there. Of course, after the last four invitations, Gideon thought that maybe she'd grown used to the idea. They hadn't spoken of it, he and his sister, but finding Kingsley there at strange hours during the day – and night – had to make her suspicious.
Instead of the hot date he had planned with Kingsley, Gideon sat next to Meg. Her being there wasn't a surprise to him; she was friends with his family and his friendship with her was often interpreted by Molly to mean something else.
A witch with brilliant red hair (apparently Fabian had told Molly that Kingsley preferred them red), and Marlene McKinnon flanked Kingsley. Gideon was hard pressed to remain in his seat each of the eleven times Marlene touched Kingsley. Marlene was an Order member, so her presence at the Burrow should have been expected; the casual relationship between her and Kingsley was obvious to anyone that could see it. Hell, for all Gideon knew Kingsley was still fucking her.
Making matters worse was his darling friend, Meg. She was enjoying the show immensely. She'd tried several times to engage Marlene in conversation, but the bint was so busy touching Kingsley, that she failed to hold a conversation with her.
***
Kingsley wanted to commit murder; he was sure that the Wizengamot would clear him of all charges if he put everyone out of their misery by AK’ing Molly.
He had planned a great Valentine’s Day date – dinner at a very trendy restaurant, for which he had made the reservation secretly weeks before, then dancing at their favorite gay club, Shaft, and finally top quality, all-night shagging in Gideon’s big brass bed. But Molly had slyly engaged Fabian’s help too, who had made puppy eyes at his brother and Gideon had caved in.
Instead of manly groping with Gideon, Kingsley was being groped by Marlene, clad in tight, low-cut robes that showed everything she had. At one point he would have been all over her, but since his seventeenth birthday he’d gradually lost interest. He still dated her occasionally, but mostly to disguise his affair with Gideon – neither man wanted to make it public outside of the few people that knew or suspected.
She was one reason he wanted to kill Molly. He would never put Marlene and Gideon in the same room. Every time Marlene touched him, he could feel the possibility of shagging in the big brass bed diminish accordingly.
He’d tried moving a little away, but the red-haired witch – Sonia? Tania? – actually thought that he was trying to get closer to her and flashed him an inviting grin. Yet another reason to kill Molly – why did she have to cram that many people around one dinner table?
He glanced across the table when he heard a female voice asking Marlene a question.
And there was the top reason to kill Molly – she’d invited Meg for dinner with the in-laws!
***
Dinner was apparently a bad idea. He could see Kingsley's stiff stance and angry frown. For a moment, Gideon actually thought Kingsley was angry with Marlene. The idea thrilled him, but as he watched them, he could tell that Marlene was too comfortable with Kingsley for it to be over between them.
Steeling himself to the knowledge that it would never change, that Kingsley was content where their relationship fell, Gideon turned away from the angry glance and tried to eat. Odd how the thought of Molly's dinner didn't appease him today.
Meg must have given up on distracting Marlene as well. She turned toward Gideon and began gently teasing him. Their friendship was a balm to him on days like this. Ignoring Kingsley and Marlene, he gave up any pretense of eating and began discussing their day. Gideon has missed practice that morning; it had begun right before he returned from a mission for the Order. Convenient that the Order's mission coincided with his secondary employment to the Auror's, Gideon had the perfect excuse to not attend.
Unfortunately, a new Chaser began that day, so it was left to Sanders and Meg to train him as senior members of the team.
***
"…I love weddings! It's a shame that so many people have chosen to not marry yet. I think it would be a positive move in our world right now. Gideon, Meg? What do you think?" Molly asked in a sweet voice.
***
Marlene’s hand was on Kingsley’s thigh. He had tried to move it, but she only moved her hand higher and caressed his thigh up and down. He was frowning out of sheer frustration, which was made worse when he noticed that Gideon was so enthralled by whatever Meg was saying that he had actually stopped eating.
Marlene’s hand left no doubt that she was planning to go home with him that night. He wanted to catch Gideon’s eyes and make a sign that they should leave; but Gideon was engrossed by Meg’s detailed description of the day at work and paying no attention to him.
Kingsley became even angrier: it seemed that Meg had won that time. She knew that he and Gideon were fucking, but obviously, she didn’t mind that as long as in the end she had Gideon.
Gideon had tried to convince him many times over that Meg was only a friend, if a very good friend. Kingsley wanted to believe it, but it bothered him to see the two of them talking easily, like an old married couple. At times like this, he couldn’t believe there was only friendship between them.
All of a sudden, there was silence around the table. It seemed that Molly had asked a question and was actually expecting an answer this time. He had no idea what the question was about. He never paid attention to what she said anyway.
***
"Pardon me?" Gideon asked, flabbergasted at what he thought he heard. Meg leaned into his side. Gideon understood immediately what she meant, just take it in stride. As always.
Gideon was very tired of as always.
"Why Molly," Meg said lightly, false humor obvious in her voice, "I believe you are already married."
Gideon could only imagine the shocked expression on his face. Fabian snickered into a napkin as he looked at his brother. The tension broken, Arthur immediately changed the subject, asking Molly what might be for dessert after such a lovely dinner.
Meg offered to help Molly at once, taking her by the arm and leading her into the kitchen. Gideon hoped she planned to scold her soundly for embarrassing them like that.
Still unable to meet Kingsley's eyes, though he thought the man was staring at him, Gideon turned to his brother.
"Well, Arthur. I've had enough dinner to not have room for dessert at the moment," Fabian said. "If you don't mind, I've love to go outside for a moment," he patted his robes, indicating the fags.
"Gideon?" he asked, "join me?"
***
When he heard Gideon’s stunned “Pardon me?” Kingsley realized he had missed something important; he leaned towards Marlene and asked her what that was all about. She whispered back, “I guess that Molly’s saying that Gideon and Meg should get married soon.”
Married! Something heavy fell inside Kingsley and the food felt like a bag of stones in his stomach. He looked at Gideon, just to see Meg leaning towards him. It was true, then. Fucking Gideon was getting fucking married and hadn’t even had the decency to tell him! This was the reason that Fabian had made those puppy eyes – Gideon had to be at the Burrow, not out on a date with Kingsley. Because of Meg!
Meg went to the kitchen with Molly and Kingsley stared at Gideon. He wanted to see the truth in his face. But Gideon was avoiding him. Kingsley decided that he would stare at Gideon until the other man met his eyes.
Then Fabian stood up and asked Gideon to go out with him.
***
Gideon smiled weakly and nodded. He briefly caught Kingsley's eye as he stood, tilting his head toward the door. "Care for a smoke?" he said softly as he followed his brother.
"That damn interfering woman!" Gideon grumbled as he reached Fabian's side on the enclosed porch. He mostly closed the door behind them, leaving it open a bit for Kingsley.
Fabian only laughed, "You know it was only a matter of time before she said something. She's been unable to pin me down so she's finally turning toward you. Did you know she's already asked Meg several times about it?"
Gideon shook his head and frowned, "Meg's not said anything."
"Meg doesn't want to marry anymore than you do," Fabian laughed.
"I've got to do something to make her stop saying shit like that!" Gideon exclaimed loudly.
***
Kingsley stood up as soon as Gideon left the dining room, but Marlene grabbed his arm.
“Where’re you going?” she asked.
“Out for a smoke,” was the curt reply.
“Smoke? But you don’t smoke, Kingsley,” she said, puzzled.
“I want a fag, all right?” he shook her hand off his arm.
“Well, if this isn’t good news.” She rose. “It’s a brilliant idea. I’ll go with you. I fancy a cigarette.”
“No, Marlene,” he answered hurriedly, already walking towards the door. “I want to talk to the blokes. Man talk. You stay here and chat with Tania.”
“Sonia,” said both girls in unison.
“Yeah, Sonia, sorry. Be right back. Have fun,” he said, closing the door behind him.
He saw the two brothers sharing a fag, in deep conversation. He was furious. He planned to tell Gideon exactly what he thought about the situation and then Apparate home. As he neared the two men, he heard Gideon’s statement and asked, barely containing the anger in his voice, “What kind of shit?"
"And that is my cue to leave," Fabian said.
Fabian left the fag in his brother's hand as he escaped, but Gideon rarely smoked. He frowned at it hanging in his hand, then shrugged. He couldn’t drop it underfoot as they were not quite outside. He decided to let it burn down, then dispose of it in a moment.
Turning to Kingsley, he said, "I'm tired of Molly Prewett Weasley. I'm tired of being told I'm expected to marry. You know that's not the plan, right? Meg and I have no intention of getting married."
The weight inside Kingsley lifted suddenly and the bag of stones disappeared. But he was still pouting. “No, I don’t. I don’t know what your plans are. All I know are the things I hear and see. And I hear your sister’s comments and see you being overly chummy with each other."
Gideon refrained from rolling his eyes, "You and I have never really talked about her, have we?
"You do know that Meg knows about us, right? She knows that we spend our free time together, she knows about the Muggle bars, and she knows that this has been going on for well over a year now.
"She's my cover, Kingsley, more than anything. She doesn't mind doing it because she is my friend and she likes me. You. Us."
Gideon took a deep breath and squared his shoulders; whatever happened after this question he couldn't control. "The question though, is what about Marlene? It's obvious from watching you two that she doesn't have a clue what else you are doing. Or who."
Kingsley froze. Yes, he still dated and shagged Marlene, but it was only when Gideon was unavailable. Actually, if he had to be honest with himself, it was only when he was angry at Gideon's being unavailable; the times when Gideon was on an away game and decided to stay over rather than return home. The nights the team had happy hours at the pub, and Kingsley wasn’t invited. All the nights that Kingsley was sure that Gideon was having fun with Meg instead of with him.
Marlene was more than a cover – she was revenge.
But right now he didn’t want Gideon to know it. He shook his head, looking for something to say, when the door opened.
"PLEASE tell me you are not smoking in my home!"
"Of course not, Molly. Fabian was. That must be why he ran out so quickly," Gideon winked at Kingsley.
At least he asked, it was too much to hope for an answer, but he tried. It seemed that whenever he made Kingsley defensive, Kingsley yelled, but when he made him think, Kingsley was quiet. There was no real formula for figuring him out, but Gideon didn't mind.
He knew Kingsley well enough to know he didn't appreciate lying. If nothing else, Gideon felt better for telling him his side of the story. He took it for a good sign that Kingsley didn't shout.
He stepped closer to Molly to hand her the smoldering fag.
"I think not," she said primly, "You may dispose of that yourself. I can't believe your brother left. At least you two are still available to help entertain the guests."
"Entertain the guests?" Gideon scoffed as they walked back in, but whatever else he might have said was cut off by the parade of people moving from the dining room to the foyer.
Molly took Kingsley's arm as he made to follow Gideon into the kitchen, "Wrong way, Kingsley dear. I know Marlene was looking for you a moment ago. Let's go join them."
Marlene! The only person he didn’t want to see at that moment. He stole a glance at Gideon to see what his reaction was.
He realized that Molly had given him a way out of answering Gideon’s very uncomfortable question, but it was a coward’s way. Gideon has been open with him; he deserved the same. And it wasn’t as if they were a couple, that they were exclusive with each other. Yes, he hated the thought of Gideon being with Meg, but, in reality, it was the other man’s prerogative. He’d have to be as frank with Gideon as Gideon had been with him.
He shook his arm free and said, “Erm…in a moment, Molly. Gideon and I have to finish our conversation.”
***
Gideon disposed of the butt after rinsing it with water. He hoped it didn't make the bin smell too much.
Rubbing his hands on his trousers, he turned to rejoin the others, wondering how long until he – they - could make a polite escape, when Kingsley walked into the kitchen.
Leaning against the counter, Gideon raised an eyebrow at him and smiled. But he didn't speak. After all, he'd asked the last question, and short of asking again, Kingsley still owed him an answer.
Kingsley took a deep breath. “No, she doesn’t know what I’m doing or with whom. She’s not an idiot, quite the contrary, so I’m sure she senses there’s someone else. She’s never asked and I’ve never told her. I never asked who else she was seeing, either. It doesn’t matter. She can do whatever she wants.” He paused, licked his lips a little nervously and continued, “She and I aren’t a couple, the same way that you and –“
His speech was cut short by Molly’s voice, now coming into the kitchen.
"What in the world is so important that you're hiding in my kitchen?" Molly exclaimed, interrupting them again as she headed for the desserts. Gideon was starting to get irritated with her.
"Since you're in here, Gideon, carry the pie. Kingsley, if you'll take the plates…"
Sighing, he resigned himself to not finding out any answer anytime soon. They really had to leave the Burrow soon.
They dutifully followed Molly from the kitchen to rejoin the throng in the foyer. A moment later, she realized she didn't bring any flatware, and sent Gideon for it.
On his way back, Kingsley met him in the hall leading to the foyer.
Kingsley stopped Gideon by holding his arm. “Gideon, what I was saying out there was – ”
And Molly’s voice rang loud and clear, “Flatware, please! People are waiting for it.”
Gideon grinned apologetically; he caught Kingsley's hand for a moment and squeezed it before letting go. Both men made their way into the room of people. Gideon propped himself on the edge of the chair where Meg sat. Marlene had no such compunctions and pulled Kingsley into the chair with her, practically forcing him to sit on her lap.
There wasn't much furniture to begin with in their home, and what items they had was covered with wiggling children. Gideon hoped Kingsley would suffer the wiggling children rather than share a seat with her.
Gideon didn't know the other couple, he assumed it was someone Arthur worked with, but they sat quietly next to him, carrying on a conversation most likely about the children since Arthur was pointing to them.
"So," Molly began with yet another gleam in her eye, "How long have you two been dating?"
***
Kingsley stiffened a little when Gideon sat down on the edge of Meg’s chair, but didn’t have time to dwell on it, because Marlene pulled him down onto hers. He stole an uncomfortable glance at Gideon, whispering, “Marlene!” in her ear, but she just brought him closer. In order to fit in the not-so-big chair, he put his arms behind her back. Marlene made herself more comfortable, leaning her head against his shoulder.
He was about to burst with tension; the night hadn’t turned out well at all, first with the botched-up date plans, and now with the emotions playing inside his mind. He didn’t want to be sharing a chair with Marlene – he wanted to do it with Gideon.
Strangely, he wanted to bare his soul to the other man, tell him everything that was bothering him. That he didn’t like to imagine Gideon kissing or having sex with anyone else. That, given the choice, he’d gladly not have sex with anyone else but Gideon. That, even after Gideon affirmed once more that Meg was only a friend, it still bothered him to see her and Gideon sharing something that he didn’t. That he was –
Jealous!
It shocked him. He was jealous. He wanted Gideon all for himself. When had that happened? And why?
His thoughts were cut short when he felt Marlene squeeze his thigh and answer, “since our Fifth Year,” to something Molly had asked her.
He looked at Marlene and asked, surprised, “Since our Fifth Year, what?”
***
"She and I aren’t a couple, the same way that you and –" Kingsley hadn't finished the sentence, and as Gideon thought about what he might have said, he came up with no good answers.
…as you and I are not a couple. was all he could hear repeatedly in his mind. He was tired of feeling what he felt. He was tired of putting up with Kingsley's attitude when he obviously didn't care any more for him then he did for Marlene.
Gideon watched him and Marlene, Kingsley willingly put his arm around her, not pulling away from her. They were nothing like Meg and himself. Meg and Gideon never touched in public, they didn't hold hands, they didn't kiss or do anything that Kingsley and Marlene were so open about.
Kingsley didn't even touch him that much in public, as long as you didn't count the Muggle gay bars. There they reacted to the music and the other men that surrounded them.
Gideon decided he had to accept the truth; he was nothing more than another fuck to Kingsley. As much as it hurt, he knew it was the truth. In the year and a half since they met, since they started having sex, Kingsley had rarely given any indication that he felt otherwise, that it was something beyond sex for him.
He sat there watching Molly discuss their dating, and Gideon realized with a pang that he could take no more tonight. Deciding to cut his losses while he could, he began thinking of an immediate excuse to leave.
"Meg," he whispered, wondering if the pain in his heart reflected in his eyes as she smiled sympathetically at him, "I have to leave. Now."
"Go, I'll cover for you," she hesitated; glancing at Kingsley, then shook her head. Whatever she wanted to say, it wouldn't be said there.
Now Gideon just needed a break in the conversation.
***
At the same time that Kingsley said “We’re not dating,” Molly screamed “Hogwarts sweethearts! This is so lovely,” in a loud voice that drowned out his denial. “You’ve been dating for quite a long time. So here’s where the wedding bells will be coming from.”
Kingsley squinted at her. “What do you mean, Molly?”
Marlene answered with a jocular tone that disguised the excitement in her voice, “She means that you should propose, you big oaf!”
“Propose?” he asked with a look of disbelief.
“Yes, Kingsley, we’re all waiting for you to propose to Marlene,” Molly said happily. “You’ve been dating for four years or so now and you make a lovely couple. It’s so romantic to get engaged on Valentine’s Day!”
Kingsley rose abruptly, breathing rapidly. He turned to Gideon and said sharply, “Gideon, can I talk to you in private for a minute?”
As he left, fuming, he overheard Molly’s cackling and saying, “Go, Gideon, give him some hints on how to propose – and then come back and do the same!”
He turned around when Gideon came in and asked, angrily, “Gideon, what the fuck is your sister doing?”
He followed Kingsley into the kitchen, but didn't approach him. He closed the door and leaned against it. When Kingsley asked what Molly was doing, Gideon shrugged; him and Molly had never been close. Fabian always seemed to understand her better. Usually when she started doing stupid things like these, Gideon expected his brother to clear them up.
He had to admit, albeit privately, that it was humorous to see Kingsley so flustered. "I guess you gave her the wrong impression."
When Kingsley didn't answer right away, he continued, "You two have been together a long time; it's natural for people who are obviously dating to eventually marry. It's been a couple years for you two, apparently Molly had decided that's long enough."
Kingsley looked at Gideon incredulously. “Are you out of your fucking mind? We’re not dating. I just told you that. We’re friends. Friends who like to fuck each other.” Then he added, “for your information, since you and I started…” Kingsley paused.
Started what? What was that he and Gideon had together? He had no idea. All he knew was that it wasn’t enough. He wanted much more, but he had no idea how to go about saying it. “You know…going out, it has been less and less frequent. It is not a relationship, I gave nobody the wrong impression and Molly better stop meddling."
He took a deep breath. “We need to talk, Gideon. Tonight’s been a mess. I wanted us to have a good time, you know? Have a great dinner, go dancing and then go back to your flat. We’re not working tomorrow – we’d have all the time in the world. Instead, we’re here, hiding in a kitchen, with your sister trying to get us engaged! And we’ve been at sorts with each other.”
Gideon was still looking at him, not moving. Kingsley decided that he had to do something. He started walking towards Gideon, when suddenly the kitchen door was forced open, almost knocking Gideon over, Molly’s shrill voice rang out as she walked into the kitchen, “Boys, come on, your girls are waiting for you!”
Catching himself on the edge of the counter, Gideon automatically put a hand out toward Kingsley, as if he expected Kingsley to catch him. They were that close to an interesting conversation.
For the first time in a long time, Gideon was seriously annoyed with his sister. "Molly, we've been at your beck and call all night. Those girls, if you haven't noticed, did not have plans with us tonight. It was simply a coincidence that we all met here."
She smiled victoriously. "A coincidence, is that what you call this? I'll have you know I planned this for days. It's a shame the way you two treat your girlfriends. It's as if you'd rather spend all your time together, and not with the girls you should be proposing to!"
***
Kingsley stretched out his hand to catch Gideon, but realized he didn’t need to. Gideon had caught his balance.
He was furious; he couldn’t hate Molly more than he did already. He had just gathered enough courage to tell Gideon how he felt about him, and that stupid bint had to interrupt again. He just didn’t have any patience left with her.
“Molly,” he shouted, “I don’t want to propose to anyone.” He shook his head in frustration. “I can’t, I don’t want to get married.”
“Come on, Kingsley,” she insisted, “why not? Marlene’s a great witch and-“
Her tirade was cut short as Kingsley blew his top. “Damnit, woman! Lay off me! I’m not getting married to anyone. I’M FUCKING YOUR BROTHER!”
Kingsley’s voice had broken at thirteen, going from a shrill boy soprano to a thunderous bass; he was also very loud, and his outburst was heard quite well throughout the house. The people in the living-room all shut up suddenly, until the silence was broken by three-year old Percy, asking clearly, “Daddy, who’s fucking Mummy's brother?” And then, after he received no answer, “What does fucking mean?”
Inside the kitchen, Kingsley shook his head and started walking toward the door. He looked at Gideon and said, “I’m leaving now. I can’t stand this any longer.”
He strode through the living room, saying a curt “Good night” and walked outside. Because of security, the house was warded against Apparition. He would have to walk outside, past the fence, to be able to escape.
He was hurrying through the garden when he heard footsteps behind him and a voice saying, “Kingsley, wait!”
***
And after that, there wasn't much left to say. Gideon wondered briefly if he could just close his eyes and wish it away. Most of the time, he liked Kingsley's forthright attitude. That didn't mean he wanted his personal life casually – and loudly – discussed.
He could hear Molly's silence. It never lasted long. He counted to four before she took her first deep breath. She still didn't speak, and Gideon almost smiled. Kingsley had shocked her to silence, and didn't stay long enough to witness it.
Without making eye contact with anyone, Gideon silently walked out the kitchen and front door. He wanted to Apparate back to his flat, he wanted to pull Kingsley into his arms and kiss him, and he wanted to beat him for the embarrassment he caused. If nothing else, Kingsley was good for confusing his thoughts at the strangest times.
Looking up, he saw Kingsley hurrying away and called out to him.
"My flat," he said tersely as they passed the fence and Apparated. They popped outside the door at the same time. Without speaking, Gideon let them in, pushing aside a small traveling bag that Kingsley had left by the door earlier that afternoon.
Turning around to face Kingsley, he calmly said, "I believe we were trying to have a conversation before Molly interrupted us."
Kingsley looked at him a little sheepishly. “Listen, I’m…I’m sorry for...you know…I guess I outed us in the worst way. I just couldn’t stand that any longer.”
He took a deep breath and said, “Gideon, I have no idea what you’ll think about what I’m going to say, but I just can’t keep it inside any more. We’ve been…together for a while now, but what are we? Are we friends? Are we dating? Are we a couple? I don’t know what we are, but I know I want more. Much more. I want you only for me."
He walked closer to Gideon and said, “I hope you don’t freak out at this.” Then he pulled Gideon into his arms and said, nervousness evident in his shaking voice, “I love you, Gideon. Right here in my arms and when you’re far away.
"I don’t know how this happened or why, but tonight just the thought of you belonging to someone else killed me. I don’t know how you feel about me, if the idea of me loving you is appealing or not, or if this admission will scare you away. But I had to say it. I don’t want anyone else – just you.”
***
Gideon was briefly ashamed of himself. For a moment, he actually thought it was a ruse to distract him from what Kingsley said to Molly. However, as he listened, he could hear the nervousness in Kingsley's voice.
Unable to speak, Gideon stood there, mouth gaping in shock. He wanted to ask Kingsley to repeat what he said. Between the apology and confession, Gideon couldn't believe his ears.
Did Kingsley just tell him he loved him? That he wanted to make it a relationship? He rested his head on Kingsley's shoulder, his body enfolded tightly in slightly trembling arms. Caught between elation and fear, Gideon simply enjoyed the moment, gathering his thoughts.
Just when Gideon had decided to accept that nothing was going to change in their relationship, Kingsley had surprised him again. Twisting a bit so he could see Kingsley's face, he smiled, "Did I just hear you correctly?"
Kingsley nodded. “Yeah. You did.” He was caressing Gideon’s back with his eyes closed. “It took me long enough to understand it; I’d never loved anyone before. I didn’t know what was happening to me. All I knew is that I was happy – am happy – when you’re by my side. And not so happy when you’re not with me.” He turned his face and kissed Gideon’s cheek.
It didn’t escape him that Gideon hadn’t told him how he felt. He’d have loved to know, but the tender gesture from the other man showed at least that he wasn’t turned off by the confession, by Kingsley’s desire to be together.
Turning into the kiss, Gideon touched his face, caressing it with both hands, "Did you know that I thought we were over tonight? Every time I saw you with her, it hurt. I was so jealous of her, she would be in your arms, or touching you, and I would think, 'that's where I belong, not her.'"
After briefly kissing Kingsley, Gideon backed up, pulling away from him. Hands trailing down from his face, across his neck, and eventually stopping at the waistline of his trousers, Gideon tucked his fingers into the top and tugged.
Walking backwards, he pulled Kingsley toward the bedroom, grinning at him.
He shouldered the door out of the way and stepped back, finally breaking contact. Pulling his shirt over his head, he undid part of his trousers as well, then stepped closer, tugging at Kingsley's clothes.
Pushing Kingsley against the wall, bare chest to bare chest, Gideon finally kissed him. He put both arms around Kingsley, pulling him closer while he caressed the small of his back.
Grinning, Gideon broke the kiss, "I love you too, Kingsley," he said softly.
***
Over? Did Gideon really think that? Just the sheer thought of it sent a chill through Kingsley’s body. He didn’t want to think now about what it would’ve meant, not when Gideon was kissing him and telling him that he was jealous of Marlene.
Then Gideon pulled him into the bedroom and he felt the familiar and loved sensation of his boyfriend’s bare chest against his, the sensual kiss that seemed different tonight, with a touch of something that he couldn’t yet recognize, but made the kiss very special.
And then, the words he longed to hear.
Looking at Gideon’s face, he could see the big brass bed out of the corner of his eyes. At least one of the three activities he’d planned for that night would be carried out with success. He grinned back at Gideon. This Valentine’s Day turned out to be better than expected.
He pulled Gideon into another kiss.
* * *
The Floo flared and made the typical noise of a call waiting to be answered. In the bedroom, Gideon tried to stir, but felt suddenly claustrophobic, as if there was a heavy weight on himself.
He opened his eyes in a bit of panic, looked down at his body and sighed in relief – he hadn’t been Bound by a Death Eater, as he had thought for a fleeting moment. He was, however, pinned down by the very heavy arms and legs of Kingsley Shacklebolt.
His boyfriend.
They had slept together uncountable times before, but Kingsley had never been this close to him before. Usually they had sex and each one turned away when they wanted to sleep. When they woke up, they had sex. Gideon had never woken up in Kingsley’s arms.
He could get used to it, although he’d love to have some room to move. But he was comfortable for the time being and was about to close his eyes again when the Floo caller insisted and he heard his brother’s voice calling his name.
Fabian wanted to talk to him, at whatever ungodly hour that was. He would never leave a call from his brother unanswered. He moved Kingsley’s arms, then his legs and stood up, grabbing his robes and pulling them on.
He looked back at the bed. Kingsley had rolled on to his back and was lying, in deep sleep, naked and with his legs splayed.
Gideon stared at the scene in front of him, and it took another call from Fabian to make him move from the bedroom.
***
He knelt in front of the fireplace, smiling sleepily at his brother. “What happened, Fabian? Why’re you calling so early?”
“It’s eleven a.m., brother,” Fabian replied with a smirk. “I don’t even have to ask why you didn’t sleep last night.”
“Who told you I didn’t?” Gideon yawned.
Fabian shook his head. “No-one. But I happen to know why.”
“You do? How?”
“Arthur called me this morning and told me what happened last night. Outed, huh? Loudly, too.”
Gideon covered his eyes with his hands. “You can’t imagine!”
“Arthur told me all the details. But it seems you two patched things up.”
Gideon nodded, grinning happily. “We certainly did. I just don’t know how to face everyone again.”
“It’ll be all right. This is why Arthur called me. Apparently, after you left, little Percy started asking everyone what “fucking” meant, then Charlie and Bill joined in a chorus of “fucking, fucking,” which they thought was very funny, but their language was upsetting the couple Arthur had invited. So Arthur decided to do a mild Obliviate on the three boys – you know, so that they’d forget the incident.
"As he was casting it, Molly recovered her voice and gave off a loud scream, which threw Arthur off a bit and he ended up obliviating everyone, except for himself and Molly, of course. But don’t worry,” he added quickly when he saw Gideon’s startled face, “It was very mild. They just forgot what they heard. I guess that Marlene and Meg asked about you blokes and Arthur said you had to leave unexpectedly.”
“See, I knew you didn’t have to worry,” said Kingsley, coming into the living room clad only in boxer shorts. He waved to Fabian and crouched behind Gideon, embracing him and kissing his neck sensuously. “Good morning, love,” he said when he finished the kiss.
Gideon wondered if he could obliviate Fabian, too. He was too embarrassed to look at his brother, who couldn’t contain his surprise.
“Anything I should know?” Fabian asked.
Before Gideon could answer, Kingsley spoke. “Yep, we have news. Gideon and I found out we’re in love with each other.” He grinned. “I guess that makes us brothers-in-law, Fabian.”
“And Molly’s too,” Gideon added, mostly to cover his embarrassment.
“Oh, come on, darling, don’t spoil my morning,” said Kingsley, standing up and stretching. “I’m hungry. Fancy some breakfast? You, Fabian? Want to join us? I’ll cook.”
Fabian looked at Gideon, who gave him the briefest nod. “Sure, I’ll be there in a minute. I’ll just change. You can tell me the whole story, including the bits that Arthur was too shy to say.”
He ended the call, and Gideon took Kingsley in his arms. “That was a great way to wake up, but now go change.”
“Why?”
“Because you invited my brother for breakfast.”
“We’re all blokes, Gideon!”
“Kingsley, in that room. Put some trousers and a shirt on.”
“Hmmm…jealous, are we?”
“Yes. Very much so. Go!”
As Kingsley sprinted into the bedroom, Gideon thought that he could definitely get used to an easy life of domesticity.