Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Written for;
Big Damn Prompt Race - Lorcan Scamander
Patronus Quest - A7 Bears - Albus Severus Potter
Words and Titles - Middle.
Middle Child
It was hard being the middle child. With a charismatic older brother and a sweet little sister, Albus often felt invisible. James was the loud, bouncy, fun one, and Lily was the sweet, kind lovely one. Albus was quiet and shy. He felt more comfortable with a book than a conversation, and could often be found holed up somewhere alone instead of joining in.
That being said, sometimes, he wanted to be noticed. He wanted to be the one to make his parents proud. He wanted to be the one who got rewards for winning the Quidditch Cup, or the one who got made Prefect. He wanted someone to tell him he was good at something, someone to recognise that he wasn't just the one in the middle that everyone seemed to forget about.
Lorcan did that.
Lorcan noticed him immediately. He'd find Albus' hiding spots, would sit beside him in silence, opening his own book, or just staring up at the clouds if they were outside. He'd talk softly with Albus, ignoring whatever exuberant fun their brothers were getting up too.
Albus was thankful for Lorcan, because Lorcan made Albus feel like he could be someone. That he was someone. Lorcan made Albus feel like he was remembered and cherished and loved. Lorcan wasn't particularly interested in the latest prank James had pulled, but he wanted to know all about the latest book Albus had read. Lorcan didn't care that Lily was the first prefect of the Potter kids, but he smiled proudly when Albus got the Newts he needed to continue his path as a Healer.
The first time Albus got the courage up to kiss Lorcan, it had been awkward and slightly uncomfortable but Lorcan sighed happily and told Albus it was perfect. When Albus shyly asked Lorcan to join him in Hogsmead, Lorcan had grinned cheekily and proposed they spend the day alone in the castle instead. The first time the two of them were in the Astronomy Tower at night, Lorcan had listened with rapt attention as Albus pointed out the different constellations in sight.
When they left Hogwarts, Lorcan had been the one to suggest they share a flat, making the point that they spent all their spare time together anyway. Lorcan had been the one to move Albus' things into Lorcan's wardrobe and drawers, making the point that a spare room would be useful as a library.
They slept together every night, entwined around each other as Lorcan whispered all the things about Albus that he loved. It was a long list, and Albus could only be awed that Lorcan could possibly see so much in him. That the adoration was completely returned was obvious and whispered often with as much fervour.
It was hard being the middle child, but Lorcan helped Albus to feel like he was worthy of being more than just the one in the middle. That was why Albus was fiddling with the ring his father had helped him choose, waiting for the perfect moment to propose.
Albus might have been the middle child, but he was the first to find a love worth keeping.