Another new collection. Look at that.

This one is gonna be purely for drabbles? I used to be really good at drabbling, but then I turned not so good. Now I'm trying to get good again. We will see if it works.

For the purpose of giving myself a good drop off point, I'm gonna say that everything here will be under 750 words.

This MAY change, depending on context? We will see.

This is written for the Hogwarts Prompt of the Day, which is: Stripper!AU

The rest of my Hogwarts prompts (where I am a Slytherin) will be down after the fic!

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Big Shout out to Arianna Waters for

a) Being the best fake Fiance ever

b) Beta'ing like... everything for me

c) Dealing with my insanity

d) ...the list really could go on through the alphabet and into the numbers, buuuttt... I'll stop here XP

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Warnings: I... don't know if there are any? Slight like... angst? The whole thing is fairly elusive? As long as you don't mind the words "strip" and "pole dancing," then we are fine?

Word Count (excluding A/N): 620

What We Wished Weren't True

"I let it slide when you installed the thing in our flat, but now you're bringing your students back here?" an exasperated Theo said as he looked a scantily-clad girl up and down. She gave him a confused look; he gave her a sneer in return.

Theo had just come home from a long day of Uni classes, wanting nothing more than to drink some tea and listen to music with his boyfriend, but no. He had to come home to find his boyfriend teaching some girl how to strip and pole dance simultaneously—she was currently sitting on their bed wearing nothing but a bra and spanks. The nerve!

"Hey, didn't we go to primary together?" the girl asked, hopping up off the bed and grinning at Theo. Something like disgust crossed his features. The girl took the hint.

"Thanks for the practice, Charlie," the girl said, turning to the man before quickly pulling on a loose dress and joggers. "I'll see you at Honeydukes tomorrow?"

Charlie nodded and showed her to the door, keeping his expression light until the door had been closed. When he turned to Theo, the younger boy had to step back in surprise. It wasn't often that Charlie was angry.

"Her name is Astoria Greengrass. She's been at the club for two months and is going through a shitty time," he said, his voice low. Theo was tempted to turn away and pretend to ignore him, but something kept him rooted in his place. "Even if that weren't the case and she had happened to be a student of mine, the least you could have done was be a decent human being and show a little respect and kindness."

Fury flitted across Theo's eyes for a brief moment before he settled back into his usual, collected self. "So she's another little lost animal for you to try and save?" he asked, letting his shoulder bag drop to the floor before rolling his eyes and turning his back, crossing their studio flat to get to the fridge. He had to doge the pole that Charlie had installed just two weeks prior; he hated that pole.

"So what if she is?" Charlie almost yelled, his eyes flashing, as Theo snagged a can of beer from inside the fridge. "And what is your bloody deal with us practicing here? You were away most of the time!"

"It doesn't matter if I'm here or not," he sneered, his entire demeanor cold. "It's the fact that this," he gestured to the pole, "and Astoria," he gestured to the door, "were here at all. It's degrading."

Even Theo recognized he had gone too far; he almost regretted the words as soon as they had spilled from his mouth.

"I see," Charlie said coolly. "You're ashamed. Ashamed of our home. Ashamed of me and my profession. You'd rather not sully your hands with any of it."

Charlie was right; Theo couldn't deny it. He was ashamed. He hated the fact that he couldn't be supportive of his boyfriend, but he was ashamed.

"I'm not looking for anyone's approval. I know who I am," Charlie said. He no longer sounded dangerous. He sounded resigned. This wasn't the first time the topic had come up. It was probably the last, though. "I thought you knew who I was too."

Theo, his eyes looking Charlie up and down, shook his head. "So did I," he said evenly, taking one last look around the flat before pushing the can of beer into Charlie's hand, grabbing his shoulder bag, and walking out of the door with the intent of never coming back—Charlie could do whatever the hell he wanted with his stuff. Theo no longer cared.

A/N 2.0

Writing clubs:

Character Appreciation #19: (setting) apartment

Count Your Buttons Character #1: Astoria Greengrass

Sophie's Shelf #71: Charlie/Theo

Liza's Loves #5: (setting) Studio Flat

Lo's Lowdown #17: (dialogue) "I'm not looking for anyone's approval. I know who I am."

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This was also written for Hogwarts's Slash September? For Theo