Potions & Charms

Staring

Scott had agreed on getting his name printed right next to Avi's on the cover of the book, and when he received a copy of the published work he felt the strong urge to frame it and hang it up on the wall. 

It was the first thing he had of him and Avi (and a whole bunch of memories) and he was so proud of his boyfriend he couldn't stop smiling all week. He made a mental note to get a proper picture of himself and the bearded wizard taken to frame it — and maybe send to his mother, he wasn't sure yet, she didn't know about them — but until he had a chance to see Avi again he was forced to wait for the Christmas break to arrive. 

Just a week before the holidays, the grounds were covered in snow already and Scott couldn't help but think about how they had packed their things to go to Norway the year before, a letter arrived. 

He got up from the couch to open the window for Aldrich to come in. When Kirstie noticed the large bird she couldn't help but gasp. 

"No way, that's a freaking monster!"

"Just a very large owl. Smaller ones wouldn't make it all the way to Hogwarts." The baritone reached for a couple of owl cookies and offered them to the bird before he opened the letter. 

Kirstie, who was sitting on the couch and nibbled on a scone, perked up and started grinning. "Lover boy? What does he want? Is he finally coming over to visit us?"

Scott chuckled quietly before he shook his head and walked back to the couch. "Tickets, to visit him over the holidays. He insists on paying for the flights." His eyes swept over the neatly written words on the parchment again. "And he wishes you Happy Holidays. Mitchy too." 

"Mitchy doesn't deserve them, he's been a pain in the ass lately."

Slowly nodding Scott's chuckle turned into a laugh. "He's just in love, Kirstie." 

"And always gone! He's always in London!" The young witch crossed her arms in front of her chest and frowned. "And now you're leaving too and I'll be on my own." 

"Not that our absence would bother you. I know that you've been flirting an awful lot with that guy from the ministry that's been over a few times. Theo, huh?"

Blush crept over Kirstie's cheeks and she found herself avoiding Scott's gaze. "Maybe" she mumbled after a pause and took another bite. "He's nice. I like him." It was the first time in many years that Kirstie felt good with someone around her who wasn't familiar with her sometimes rather strange behavior. Previous relationships had ended due to her inability to focus on one thing for an extended period of time, the way she spaced out, her sometimes blunt and even rude behavior. 

But if Theo was the right guy for her Scott would do nothing but support them. He was aware of how picky Kirstie was, especially when it came to the men she considered polite, handsome and tall enough for dating, and it made his heart happy to see his friends thriving. 

"So" the woman said and tucked a strand of curly hair behind her ear, brushed it over her shoulder. "Where are you going? Back to Buenos Aires?"

Scott reached for the boarding pass and shook his head. "No, California. America." 

The witch gasped in surprise. "Los Angeles?" 

He chuckled lightly. "No. Just 'cause it's California doesn't mean he's right in the middle of L.A. Interesting choice, though. It's warm." 

He didn't have a whole lot of knowledge when it came to American cities and states. Scott knew that his parents were in Texas — everyone knows where Texas is — and he knew where Los Angeles was, but arriving right in the middle of basically nothing was surprising, even for Avi. But it made sense. Buenos Aires had been packed and Scott understood that the man wanted some peace and quiet for now.

However, he didn't expect to sit in a car for three hours after the long flight to Oakland, right outside of San Francisco, to get to Avi's place. 

Whenever Scott looked over to his boyfriend he couldn't keep himself from smiling. 

Avi was handsome. He had known that before, but after seeing him in dark jean shorts, a button up shirt with his chest exposed, his unruly hair in a high and messy bun (he had pulled the ponytail through the hair tie just once) and boat shoes on his feet Scott had gasped for air. Avriel was a sight for the gods, especially with the sunglasses covering his eyes. 

They had kissed for what had felt like an hour and then, after sharing another peck or two, made their way over to the parking lot. 

"What?" Avi asked and chuckled lightly. He had both hands on the steering wheel and tapped his thumbs in the rhythm of Dreams by Fleetwood Mac against the leather. They were on the way home and the only thing that kept Scott awake by now was the sight of his boyfriend and the way the breeze coming from the open window messed with a few stray hairs. 

"Nothing. You're just- really handsome. And you look happy." 

The man shrugged. "I am happy to see you. It's been so long. Lot's has changed." 

Scott hummed. "And I didn't know you know how to drive." 

"I have many hidden talents, Scott" the bearded man mumbled and then grinned. He reached over to squeeze his hand. "Let's get you to bed for a nap. A few hours and then you'll feel better." 

The Charms professor smiled lightly. "Sound's good. And good idea to take the car. Apparating would've been such a hassle." 

"You rather sit here for three hours and stare out of the window?"

"Nah, I rather sit here for three hours and stare at my boyfriend."