"I'm gay," he announces to his dorm-mates. "No one else knows, and I'd like to keep it that way."

Harry shrugs and continues to tie his laces. Ron mutters something inaudibly that sounds like agreement. Neville nods, his round face eager—Seamus suspects he's never been entrusted with a secret before.

And then, Dean comes up to him and claps him on the back. Seamus coughs, his face reddening.

"I'm proud of you, mate," he says genially, and Seamus's heart aches. Little does Dean know, he's a lot more involved in Seamus's coming out than he thinks.

Dean begins to date Ginny and Seamus's heart breaks.

He watches them snuggle together in the common room, watches them feed each other at meals. He watches as Dean, glowing, gets ready for his dates with her and comes back glowing even more, gushing and pleased.

What he doesn't notice is Seamus talking less and less to him, his replies short and curt. He's always in Ginny-land, and Seamus wishes he could make him as happy as Ginny.

Ginny breaks up with Dean and Seamus is over the moon, even though he pretends he's sorry for his friend.

(He does notice a change in Harry too. His friend seems more chatty and excited than ever, whereas he used to be brooding and aloof. He suspects it has something to do with Ginny.)

(Seamus anonymously sends Ginny a thank you card.)

He's just about to confess to Dean when Dean goes missing and all hell breaks loose.

Life is hard once the Carrows and Snape take over. Seamus never really liked the greasy git and he's forced to live under his. He tries to help Ginny, Luna, and Neville restart the DA, but Snape and his sidekicks squash all hopes of rebellion.

It's even harder for Seamus without Dean there. He's in a constant state of worry, wondering if he's alive or dead, or where he is. This is only heightened as the days pass by and still no word from Dean arrives.

It's worse than the torture the Carrows do to him.

In the middle of a battle is where they have their first kiss.

Dean has miraculously returned and Seamus almost kisses him right then and there. He's so relieved. Dean looks worse for wear, but Seamus doesn't care.

And then, Voldemort declares war and chaos breaks loose, and Seamus finds himself fighting back-to-back with Dean, fighting two Death Eaters.

Seamus dodges a Killing Curse and stumbles into Dean, causing the latter to lose his balance. He falls backwards and Seamus falls on top of him.

Their lips are centimeters apart, Seamus realizes, and he would be a fool if he didn't seize this opportunity. Dean's looking up at him with heavy-lidded eyes and Seamus takes a leap of faith.

For a minute, the battle disappears, it's just him and Dean, lips locked and in a blissful world of no havoc. And then, something hits Seamus and the war is back.

Dean grins sheepishly as he rolls out from under Seamus, mouthing, "We'll talk later."

There is a later.

(Their "talk" consists of Seamus ranting about his feelings and Dean shuts him up with a kiss.)

(Suffice to say, no more talking occurs.)

549 words

Writing Club - Showtime - 36. (emotion) indifference; Slash 5 - DeanSeamus