D'you remember your first year on the team?
Oliver blinked and glanced away from the cloudy, clear blue sky, settling his gaze instead on the man sitting next to him. Charlie ran a hand through his vibrant red hair, staring up into the heavens as Oliver had been doing before. The younger man grinned.
Yeah. It was great, wasn't it? He leaned back, his eyes gleaming ecstatically. It was my life. Charlie sniggered. Good one.
They laughed for a moment, but soon they were looking up to the clouds again, remembering those long-past days. Dreaming of younger selves soaring through the sky, of the wind in their hair, of...
Remember that time when Fang chased you halfway across the grounds on your broomstick?
Oliver was jolted out of his memories as comprehension dawned on him. He whipped around angrily to glare at Charlie, who was now looking particularly amused at the thought. He jumped to his feet. Of course I do! You terrorized me! If I ever encountered a boggart, I have no doubt whatsoever that it would be Fang!
Charlie was snickering devilishly, hardly able to contain himself. Had to make sure you were... oh, cut out for the team, he answered, as if it was a perfectly reasonable way of determining someone's skill in Quidditch. This quite obviously did not help matters, because Oliver was still fuming when he sat down next to his companion again. But at least he was sitting.
Bet Hagrid really approved of that one, he muttered after awhile. This only made Charlie grin wider.
I asked permission, you know, he said tauntingly. I was always his favorite, I knew he'd let me.
Oliver's pout twitched just the tiniest bit.
Honestly, though? Charlie spoke up again. Oliver looked towards him sourly out of the corner of his eye. You're still the best Keeper I've ever seen.
The other gave the smallest sign of a smile. It really meant a lot to me, back then, he remarked after a moment.
Oh? And it doesn't now? Could've fooled me, Charlie teased.
But Oliver was entirely serious when he shook his head, replying, It's true. What means the most to me now is you.
