When I awoke I was greeted by the sounds of rain hitting my window. With a groan, I rolled over in my bed that was placed in the center of the room. My bed had no headboard or footboard and was a perfect square. I liked my soft, cotton sheets that were the color or roses. I liked the deep scarlet color and it went well with the cream color of my pillow and the black of my comforter. I felt so romantic in my bed and I often thought of Marcus. I thought about what it might be like if he were here next to me and staring out of my floor to ceiling window framed by scarlet curtains and watching it rain. I shook thoughts from my head, reserving them for when I started my thinking session later.

I decided to look around at my grey paneled walls and dark wood flooring while I stretched. The colors went well with the grey stone fireplace not far from my bed and the dark wood furniture around my room. I realized I couldn't remember where I had gotten any of the paintings that were hanging on the walls in my room. I did remember, however, where all the pictures on my mantle had been taken. Several had been taken at the last world cup I had gone to with the Weasley twins. Others were from my days at Hogwarts. I didn't really have any recent photos. I didn't even know why.

I figured since I was already thinking I might as roll out of my comfortable bed and make myself some tea before sitting down to figure everything out. Dressed in only my pinstripe, navy blue, satin pajama pants left me exposed to the somewhat chilly atmosphere of my flat. Deciding I didn't care about the air, I walked into my kitchen and made my tea before finally starting a fire and sinking into my high backed arm chair in front of the fireplace in my lounge room. Time to think.

"What do I think about first? I guess I should try and sort out my feelings for Flint…let's see…I first developed a lust only crush on him in my first year. Despite his horrid teeth, there was something about his arrogance and confidence that just drew me in. He was so sexy and I constantly had fantasies and dreams about him…sexual ones…Still, when did it start to develop into more? Hmm, I think that might have started to develop around my third or fourth year. I don't even know when specifically but I know it was around then. It just sort of forced its way into my life…I remember the feelings started becoming more prominent when we graduated Hogwarts and both tried out to be professional players for the Hollyhead Harpies…I made it and he didn't…then he tried out for a team in London and made it…the London Lichemen."

"I remember wondering why he wanted to play for them but then I read an article about him where he said that playing for the London Lichemen was one of the best things that he had ever done. He gets along well with the players despite thinking he's better than everyone. I guess they're kind of like his family which…now that I think about it, Flint never really mentioned his family and he still doesn't. Is he an orphan? I guess I don't really know that much about him…I know his favorite color is actually blue despite all the green he wears and I know that Quidditch is the most important thing to him. I also know that he's never had a girlfriend and that rumor has it he's gay. Another thing I know about him is that he lives alone a few streets away and that he's been to every single one of the games I've played…Wait, he's been to every game. Every game? Wow. That might mean something? How come I never realized?"

"Heh, no doubt I was blinded my jealousy. Maybe I was just so desperate to imagine Flint and I in Harry's and Draco's shoes that I had failed to see the situation for what it really was. I want so desperately to come home every day and see a smiling face that I love and hear the words "welcome home, love." That's something Harry has. He gets to see the man he's in love with every day and hold him, kiss him, have sex with him and just do whatever he wants with him. Harry's been in love with Malfoy for almost as long as I've been in love with Flint. I don't think it's fair that Harry and Malfoy get to have each other and I don't get to have Flint but, Harry is a good friend so, I'm happy for him. It just hurts to see them together all the time…and who do I see more than Harry and Malfoy? The Weasley twins! That is the definition of unfairness!"

"They're twins for Merlin's sake! How come they get to be together and be open about it and I can't even tell Flint how I feel? Why do they get to have so much courage? How come I have to be so weak? What's wrong with me? Why am I so afraid? Why am I so pathetic? All I want is to have what the Weasleys have and what Harry and Malfoy have…that's all I want anymore…I love Quidditch with all my heart but if all I had to do was give it up in order to be with Flint, I would trash my career in a heartbeat. I want that man with everything in me but I can't be with him. I can't bring myself to tell him how I feel. Why?"

"And now look at me! I'm sitting here feeling sorry for myself. That's not the kind of man Flint would want. Well, if Flint was gay he wouldn't want a self-pitying guy like me. So, if I want to know if Flint is gay or not, I need to accept this challenge with open arms and…if Flint is gay, I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and grow up. I need to tell him how I feel and this challenge is the perfect opportunity to do that…wait…the challenge…ugh! Harry you can be such a git sometimes but damn if I'm not grateful for it now! I have to remember to thank Harry for this later. He'll want to know why and then I'll get to tell him that this challenge helped me grow up and become the man I like to pretend I am. Even if Flint doesn't love me, something good will still come out of this challenge. So, I guess I figured everything out…now I have to figure out what I'm going to do for the rest of the day…Merlin, my mind spiderwebs to different topics. I can't stay focused on one thing at a time, can I? Anyway, I need to pack."

When my mind had decided to ease itself, I stood and set my empty tea cup in the sink and cast a charm to make it was itself. As it was being put away, I padded down the hall to my room and started to make a list of the things I would need for the next three months. Clothes and toiletries were a given. I was stuck debating whether or not I would need to bring trinkets and things to make me feel more at home. Contemplating this, I looked back at my mantle.

"The most recent picture I have is two years old…me and the twins at the World Cup. That was a fun day…I need more pictures," I decided mentally and started packing a few of my pictures and nothing else.

I had packed almost every article of clothing I had and a few pictures in a little over three hours. The only things left to pack would be my toiletries but those wouldn't be packed until Saturday. Now what was I going to do with myself for the rest of the day and the next two before I had to leave? A twitch in my prick gave me my answer. I suppose the next couple of days would be fun.

DunDunDun…

When Saturday finally arrived, Harry and Malfoy arrived via floo network around noon and took me to Flint's flat. The sights and smells that greeted me almost knocked me on my arse. The navy blue walls of the lounge and the dark mahogany of the floors were accented by black curtains and black, leather furniture. The wall of his flat that was closest to the busy street wasn't even a wall. It was nothing but floor to ceiling windows with minor space between them. Other walls were occupied with French paintings, portraits and a few photos of his Quidditch team. My eyes scanned every painting and photo around the room all the way to the white marble fireplace behind me. Not a single photo was on the mantle. As a matter of fact, nothing occupied the mantle.

My attention was then drawn by fabulous scents of peppermint tea and French toast. My gaze moved from the mantle to the kitchen that was connected to the lounge. Standing on the other side of the breakfast bar was Marcus Flint in a grey sweater and black slacks. His gaze assessed my own outfit which consisted of another turtleneck (rust colored this time) and dark jeans. I couldn't help but blush under his careful scrutiny and my heart set to pounding when our gazes locked.

"I hate to interrupt your telepathic communication or whatever it is you're doing but I think Harry and I are going to take our leave now," Malfoy announced and my gaze broke from Flint's.

"Oh? So soon? Damn shame that is. Well, have a nice day," Flint spoke in short, controlled sentences. It was obvious that he wanted them gone.

With a roll of his eyes, Harry turned on his heel and entered the fireplace followed by Malfoy. In a whirl of green flames, they were gone and it was just Flint and me. Brilliant.

DunDunDun…

Well, I feel that this chapter may not be as brilliant as my third but, I feel that it's still better than my first two. I'm trying my best and I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. I plan to have chapter 5 up tomorrow but there are no guarantees. I would like to thank the two reviewers that I've had so far and I hope you're both enjoying the story ^^ Please bear with me as I continue to develop.