*Warnings: Very suggestive themes, Boys being...boys
*Suggested Listening: ...Sorry, none this time. Isaac Shepard doesn't have anything for this. (Lmao oh god)
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.Six.
'Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.'
.Six.
'Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.'
Gene is 16 when things, he feels, are finally going his way. (Maybe. For now.)
Family-wise, he’s been fantastic. Morgan’s getting into drawing now, which means more peace for Nanny. Though, the old witch does worry about the day when Morgan gets the thought of drawing on the walls into her head. Mother has been relatively healthy, which heightens Gene’s happiness by tenfold. Her letters are full of happy events, and even her garden, from what she tell him, is growing beautifully. He really can’t wait to get home for Easter holiday so he can see Morgan and Mother (and Nanny too).
Sex-wise, Gene really couldn’t be happier. The shagging has been great, and Gene is careful not to become too attached to his partners. He uses protection, takes care of the needs of his partner (or partners, as of Halloween with those hot Ravenclaws) before his own, and keeps a low profile of himself so the professors won’t suspect too much from him.
Gene’s also been feeling smugger about himself lately. Well, more so than he usually does. His ‘game’ with Elliott has still been going strong, almost an entire year now, to her displeasure. He’s sure she’ll crack before him, since he’s more open about shagging others than she is. It may get his arse hexed sometimes, but he knows that it’s all going to be worth it in the long run.
Not to mention that great fling he had a few months ago…
Tophe, though, seems strangely on-edge lately. Gene, of course, doesn’t know why but he sure is curious. The Hufflepuff is still cheerful and friendly as ever, but with a slight…hint of something else. Almost like he’s keeping a secret from Gene, but that can’t be! If anything ever bothered Tophe, Gene was certain his best mate would tell him. Even if Gene’s a little protective over his best mate, he’d understand if something was going on.
However, Gene couldn’t force it from Tophe. Not when Tophe had a tendency to turn cold whenever touchy subjects came up. Hmm. Maybe it’s that boyfriend of Tophe’s. Micha, if Gene remembers correctly. A real wanker. Gene certainly doesn’t like the idiot…
“–and I told the bloody ponce that we’re still dating, in case he hasn’t noticed, and why does he even bother telling me who he shagged on the side when he’s just going to get a broken nose minutes later? Ugh, I swear…I really don’t know what I see in him.”
And apparently, Tophe feels the same way. (To a certain extent.) It’s a good thing they’re in Gene’s dorm room and not back at Tophe’s. These days, Tophe always got jumpy whenever they hung out at the Hufflepuff room for reasons Gene couldn’t fathom.
Gene shifted on his bed slightly to look over at Tophe over the book he was reading. “Well, mate, I’ve told you before that he’s utter shite for you. I know he’s cute and all, but why not just end things? Move on or something.” Because really, Micha has got to go. The only reason why Gene hadn’t hexed the idiot within an inch of his life is because Tophe didn’t want Gene to get into trouble for his sake. What rubbish. Gene didn’t care what happened to himself, as long as Tophe was okay.
Tophe sighs in a huff, flopping back so he lay next to Gene. He covers his face with one of the pillows and groans. “I-It’s not that bloody easy though! I mean, he can be nice….s-sometimes…” He groans into his pillow. Gene sympathetically pets his head, to which Tophe raises his head and gives Gene a look.
For these two, it could mean anything between ‘okay, I have an idea’ to ‘damn I’m in a real fix’. Gene knew it was the latter and simply said, “Have anyone in mind? Aside—“ Tophe closed his mouth and pouted. “—from Remy? Though, he is pretty cute, mate. And he’s a pretty nice guy – don’t give me that look, I’m not interested in him myself, only for you – even if he is straight.”
Tophe sighs. “I know. Why are all the good ones straight or taken?”
Gene scoffs. “…What does that make me?”
Tophe rolls his eyes, but smiles and gestures offhandedly. “You’re…okay, love.”
It’s Gene’s turn to roll his eyes, but he chuckles darkly at something else. Tophe shoots him a ‘what’s going on in your head?’ look. Gene shakes his head, though he’s still smiling that unnerving smile of his. “So, who do you have in mind?”
The blond shrugs, hugging Gene’s pillow to him. “Dunno.” He pauses for a moment to think, then giggles. “Well…actually, there is that one handsome fellow…oh, but he’s straight though!” He groans again into the pillow.
Gene gives him a genuine look of interest and puts down the book he was leafing through. Tophe blushes and giggles again, resting his head in the pillow. The Slytherin grins and nudges Tophe playfully. “Who is it, mate?”
The Hufflepuff sighs, though the smile is still on his face. “…Y’know that transfer student from Durmstrang?”
Gene gives him a raised eyebrow. “The one from Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw?”
Tophe pales slightly (Gene doesn’t comment, but it’s strange...), but the blush reappears immediately. “R-Ravenclaw. …Loren’s his name, if I remember correctly!”
A mischievous smile graces Gene’s features. He’s not going to laugh, he’s not going to laugh… “Loren, huh? Yeah, he’s quite the…ah, bloke isn’t he?” A small snicker leaves him, but Tophe doesn’t notice Gene’s expression yet.
Instead, the Hufflepuff nods, and continues. “Mmm! You’ve seen him around the school, yeah? He’s always surrounded by girls…but Merlin, there’s really something about him!”
Gene snorts. “O-Oh?” Merlin…if only Tophe knew…
“Yes! He’s just so—Gene, stop laughing! This isn’t funny!” His best mate pouts and hits Gene on the head with the pillow. “I’m bloody serious! T-Though, maybe not as serious as Remy…but Loren’s still pretty good-looking.”
Gene chuckles darkly, and before he can stop himself, he says, “You should see the rest of him.”
Tophe stops pouting to give Gene a curious look. “What do you mean?”
Gene can’t stop grinning, because damn it…he did enjoy himself with Loren. A whole lot, and if anyone knew Loren, they would know ‘a whole lot’ is saying something. He just has to tell someone. And he could trust Tophe to keep a secret…
He shifts on his bed to fully look at Tophe, who looks more curious than before. “You said before…that he’s straight right?”
Tophe sighs and nods. “Well yes, of course he is, Gene! He’s always flirting with girls—stop grinning like that, you idiot—and no one’s ever seen him with a guy before.”
Gene gives Tophe a mysterious, yet knowing smile. ”Maybe…the guy approached him in a way that didn’t look so suspicious.”
Gene waits. Tophe blinks. The Slytherin could see the cogs turning in the Hufflepuffs head. “Look s-suspicious….mate, what are you saying? You saw him with a guy?”
“No. I didn’t see him with another guy.”
“Then what—“
”Loren’s not as straight as you think. And I’m the reason why.”
Tophe blinks slowly. Once. Twice. Then… “Are you saying…?”
Gene smiles sweetly and nods.
Tophe gapes at him, but Gene can see the smile forming on his lips. ”No.”
”Oh yes.”
Outside of the dorm, two younger Slytherins jump away from the door they pass in fright as fits of laughing, squealing and ‘Are you bloody SERIOUS?!’ slip through the closed door. Followed by many exclamations of ‘Oh Merlin, I can’t believe this!’ and ‘Gene, you’re horrible!’, which is then followed by even more surprised laughing and squeals of delight.
Ah, the wonders of youth.
- TBC -
