Johann and Max stood in front of Ludwig, sizing him up judgingly.
"I don't think your blacks match," Johann mused.
"Nonsense, the pants and suit came as a set. Of course they match," Max shot back. He stepped forward again and fixed Ludwig's tie for perhaps the umpteenth time that night.
It was date night, and that meant of course the entire team had somehow found out about it (Ludwig blamed Kurstin), and had volunteered to come over to Ludwig's home and 'help'. Johann and Max had Ludwig in his bedroom, preparing him, while Frederick and Kurstin gushed over Gilbert in his.
A fancy restaurant had been booked in the muggle side of town by Johann - this was so that Ludwig and Gilbert would not attract too much attention. Call it being discrete, or paranoia, the Quidditch Captain didn't particularly care. He didn't want photographs and rumours. He didn't want anybody knowing that there was inter-team dating. Ever. Even if it was twenty years down the road and the two of them had settled in with some form of domestic bliss and maybe they were some sort of married, and had some sort of children to take care of, or maybe just dogs, yes, dogs would definitely be nice until Gilbert matured a little bit more, and -
He really shouldn't be thinking that far ahead. Really, really shouldn't.
Max again reached forward to adjust his tie and Ludwig had to resist rolling his eyes. He instead swatted him away. "I look fine," he said. "I doubt Gilbert of all people are too terribly picky about what their-" he winced at the word in his mouth, "-date...wears."
"True. You could show up wearing nothing and he'd be fine with it, probably," Johann mused.
Max snorted and moved away. "I have a feeling he'd definitely be fine with it."
Ludwig felt his face turn red, but he really had no room to complain - he walked right into that one, after all. "Are we ready?"
"Splash of cologne, and you're set." Johann sprayed him a few times with cologne on his wrists and then turned him towards the door. "We're right on time."
Ludwig was pushed out the door into the hallway, where he faced Gilbert, who was being led out by Kurstin. The young man was wearing a pressed suit, with a navy-and-white polka dotted bow tie. His hair was combed back as well, which helped bring out his enthusiastic smile and his bright, cheerful eyes. Ludwig found himself smiling ever so slightly at the sight.
"That won't do," he heard Johann mutter behind him, and a moment later, Gilbert's bow tie turned red.
The bowtie's wearer didn't seem to notice, however Ludwig definitely did. He gave a look, then looked over at Johann, who seemed quite satisfied with himself.
Frederick emerged from the room and stood next to Gilbert, clapping his hand on the Keeper's shoulder. "Are we all rea-" he stopped when he noticed that Gilbert's bowtie had changed colours. Instantly he looked suspicious, eyes flashing to Johann.
Gilbert just noticed himself, looking a bit surprised, however Johann jumped to his own defense before anything could be said. "Excuse me, navy blue and black?"
"Red, with no complementary colours?" Frederick shot back. His wand was out, and Gilbert's bowtie was back to navy and white.
Ludwig rolled his eyes. He could see where this was going. So he parted from the company, grabbing Gilbert's arm and practically dragging him down the hall as he did so. "Come on, if we let them keep up their game, we'll be here all night," he mumbled.
Gilbert went along with him, watching as his bowtie change a variety of different colours as the two Quidditch players bickered behind him.
Ludwig ushered his roommate-turned-date down the hall, away from the gleeful stares of the rest of the team as Gilbert's bowtie turned a painful shade of mustard-yellow. Why did they have to be involved anyways?
'Didn't you say it yourself, Ludwig, that a team was like a family?' Kurstin had chided him. Damn it, he had never expected (nor wanted) his words of encouragement – said only to Gilbert when he was in distress, to boot – to be used against him.
Well, at least Gilbert didn't seem bothered by it all. Happy, even; waving goodbye to Frederick specifically, who gave him a thumbs-up in encouragement.
Johann had a motorcycle. It had been his father's, before he gave it to his son when Johann joined the team as congratulations.
The motorcycle sat, polished and fueled, in Ludwig's lawn. In order to avoid going to the restaurant by magic, Johann had lent it to Ludwig for the evening.
"Do you know how to get there?" Gilbert asked.
"Yes," Ludwig replied, staring down the motorcycle, as if daring it to make him look like a fool.
"…Do you know how to ride that?" Gilbert asked again.
"Yes," Ludwig glanced down at him. Johann had given him a brief lesson in motorcycle driving that very afternoon. Kind of.
Gilbert still seemed unsure. "Do you have a license?"
"No."
"What if we get pulled over?"
Ludwig was already starting towards the motorcycle. Two helmets hung on the handlebars, and the Beater took one for himself. He was quite disgruntled how it would mess up his slicked-back hair, but safety was always a priority, he reasoned. He still had to set a good example for Gilbert.
"Then I'll use magic and get us out of the situation."
"Isn't that illegal?"
"I'm pretty sure asking this many questions are illegal," Ludwig snapped, giving Gilbert a wary look. He slid on the motorcycle and scooted forward. "Get on behind me."
Gilbert put on his own helmet, grinning at his own wittiness, and climbed on behind Ludwig. He immediately wrapped his arms around Ludwig's waist, making the larger man tense for just a moment.
Right. Date. So date stuff was supposed to happen – including touching and being generally much closer than normal. Right. It was okay.
"Ready to be off?" Ludwig asked after relaxing.
"Yes! I'm starving!"
The truth was that Ludwig had no idea how to get to this restaurant. He also had no idea how to drive the motorcycle the way it should be driven. Johann had bewitched the vehicle to take them there automatically, and Ludwig's 'motorcycle lessons' included simply how to start, stop, and turn the vehicle. He didn't know how to keep a constant speed or even how to signal turning, since it would do all that automatically.
He didn't want to tell that to Gilbert, though. He wanted Gilbert to think that Ludwig was good at riding motorcycles, since he had heard Gilbert remark several weeks prior how cool motorcycles were.
Ludwig felt a bit foolish, resorting to cheap tricks to impress someone whom had already remarked several times how already impressed with Ludwig he was, however when he felt the enthusiasm radiating off of Gilbert's back, it put him at ease. This would not be so hard after all. Gilbert and Ludwig had spent lots of time together, after all. This was nothing new.
With that in mind, they soon left magical Berlin and travelled seamlessly into the world of muggle Berliners going about their daily lives.
The difference between magical and non-magical Berlin was at times staggering. During the time of East and West separation, the magical world in East Germany was completely shut down and abandoned. Residents, fearing inevitable suppression of their abilities, abandoned their homes, businesses, and schools in the East and fled to the West. Because the Berlin community at that time was very small and close-knit, this was an easy transition for most. Magical West Berlin expanded easily in order to accommodate this influx of witches and wizards, and its economy boomed.
By the time the Berlin Wall was erected in 1961, the magical world of East Germany was completely nonexistent. Wizards and Witches in the East had either emigrated to the West, abandoned their magical lives to avoid persecution, or, like Gilbert and his father, had grown up completely ignorant to magic. The only East German magical folk were the ones who worked to either actively suppress it from the population or worked in propaganda, convincing the outside world the exact opposite. Such propaganda gave way to "superior" East German magical products such as wands without cores, spellbooks of fake spells, potions concocted in basement meth labs, and a Quidditch Team with broomsticks that didn't fly.
After Reunification, magical Berliners easily moved into West Berlin's magical culture and routine, all too eager to claim the "privilege" of practicing West German magic.
Meanwhile, Ludwig noted, muggle Berlin still showed its Eastern culture despite having been "absorbed" by the West – Ampelmännchen still happily controlled pedestrian traffic, Trabi cars became a tourist attraction (the ones that still worked, of course), and abandoned Eastern factories and warehouses had turned into impromptu raves, dance parties, and obviously homes for homeless teenagers. Ludwig had to admit, that while magical Berlin was home to bars, nightclubs, business offices, and apartments just like its non-magical counterpart, it lacked the distinct history that lived in every citizen, building, and street of non-magical Berlin.
"Are you enjoying my Berlin?" Gilbert asked from behind his shoulder, a smile in his voice.
"Not sure what you're talking about," Ludwig responded automatically.
"I see you looking around, taking in the sights!" Gilbert laughed, but the sound was drowned out when they passed a loud, struggling Trabant on the street.
Before long, they arrived at their destination - nice, upscale restaurant that was away from the hustle of any main streets. The motorcycle came to a halt in the center of a parking space and became still. Gilbert let go and slid off the motorcycle. Ludwig followed suit, and almost immediately the Keeper slipped his arm around Ludwig's. The sudden movement made him stiffen for just a moment until he remembered – right. Date. That meant things like arm-holding. No big deal.
He escorted him into the restaurant. "I have a reservation for two. Beilschmidt."
"Of course, right this way." The host gathered their menus before glancing at Gilbert. "By the way – your bowtie is very beautiful."
Gilbert glanced down and both of them noticed at once that Gilbert's bowtie was now a pale steel-blue colour. This was unusual, as Ludwig could have sworn that it was not that colour when they left.
Its wearer seemed bewildered as well and shot him a look before shrugging and following their host to the table.
"This place is way too nice," Gilbert commented with a deep breath when they had been seated and given menus.
Ludwig glanced around before turning his attention to the food options. "Well, um, you deserve it, I suppose." He was trying to sound suave and cool, but he was absolutely sure it had turned out the exact opposite. Damn, how was Frederick able to make doing a thing like this his entire lifestyle? It was nerve-wracking and embarrassing, and the night had just begun.
He glanced over the top of his menu to see that Gilbert was nonetheless flattered, looking at him with bright eyes and a barely-suppressed grin. It put Ludwig more at ease; at least his date was easy to impress.
"You're sweet," Gilbert laughed.
"Not sweet, just honest." Bread was put on their table and Ludwig helped himself, taking the time to order still water and the institution's finest bottle of red wine. They could splurge, without worries – Gilbert deserved it, after all.
After several minutes, it was easy for Ludwig to forget that this was a special 'date'. Perhaps it was because he was accustomed to eating at fancy restaurants due to his upbringing and occupation, or perhaps it was because it was Gilbert, who almost always had a presence that made Ludwig relaxed, open, and at ease. He forgot about trying to 'impress' Gilbert, and even failed to notice Gilbert's bowtie, which continued to change colours throughout the evening.
Ludwig found himself actually enjoying himself. He had never noticed before how Gilbert sat straight and tall, with his shoulders back and chin high, or how Gilbert handled his silverware with surprising delicacy. Maybe he was putting on a show for Ludwig, but this all seemed so very natural for him. They had eaten together countless times before, but usually in some kind of hurry or whilst multitasking, and Ludwig's mind had always been on something other than his teammate's eating habits.
Gilbert still seemed so carefree and cheerful, even dressed in a pressed suit and gold bowtie, but there was a reservation in his every movement. Ludwig could now notice just exactly how still Gilbert could sit when he wanted to, how he sat on the very edge of his seat, as if constantly reading the safety of the atmosphere, ready to bolt if that atmosphere changed for the worse. He would continue talking though, as if this was all subconscious, most likely from years of living off the grid and on the edge.
He realized that Gilbert only seemed naïve and ignorant because the magical world was unknown to him – the safe, conventional magical world. However he recalled back to their second meeting, when Ludwig had to pull him away from breaking another boy's collarbone just for insulting his precious broomstick.
Beneath that cheerful demeanor, Ludwig was suddenly reminded of a damaged, offensive individual – one who was intimate with Stasi officers, who had seen his father die and his mother taken away and never to be seen again. Ludwig was reminded of that morning they found Gilbert at the warehouse, carelessly drawing through a table full of cocaine as if it were a material he had learned to use resourcefully every day beyond its intended use, and how Gilbert had, in many past conversations, had alluded to having been in prison, but for what reason he didn't know.
These sides were all Gilbert. One was endearing, the other terrifying, and together they made him –
"Fascinating."
Gilbert lifted his head sharply when he heard Ludwig speak, his mouth full of mashed potatoes. "What?" he mumbled before swallowing harshly.
Crap. Had Ludwig spoken that out loud?
"Nothing, nothing at all." Ludwig quickly ducked his head back in his food.
His date wasn't buying it. "Come on," Gilbert grinned, wiping off a bit of potatoes that had fallen onto his zebra-striped bowtie. "What's fascinating? You were looking right at me."
What a goddamn pretentious dick. Ludwig realized that another 'side' to Gilbert was one that existed only to annoy and embarrass him.
"Fascinating," Ludwig repeated with a heavy sigh. "You are, I mean. You're very interesting, and I have enjoyed getting to know you."
Gilbert smiled a sweet, embarrassed smile. "Well. I don't know where you got that from, but I think you're interesting as well."
"I am not interesting. I am absolutely boring, and to be honest I am proud of that."
"You are so interesting!" Gilbert leaned forward with a wide grin. "The big, brooding, mysterious Quidditch captain. You chose magic over family. A scary dark wizard has a hit out on you! Come on, that's so cool. I like learning about you, where you come from…you know, things like that. You're interesting when you think. I like to watch you."
He frowned at that. "That's a bit creepy, you know. And nobody has a hit out on me."
"Well not like THAT." Gilbert rolled his eyes. "I don't hover over your bed when you're asleep. I just notice your behaviours because I pay attention to them."
Ludwig gave him a wary look before shaking his head with a small chuckle. "I think it's time for the bill," he said, noticing that both of them had finished their food several minutes ago.
Without too much more time or conversation, Ludwig paid and they got up to leave. Gilbert followed along happily, like a lost puppy, and settled happily behind him again on the motorcycle. He slipped his arms around the larger man's waist, and when Ludwig looked down he saw that Gilbert had already removed his bowtie – which was black now – and clutched it in one hand.
The motorcycle sped off soon afterwards back to Ludwig's home. He became keenly aware of Gilbert's cheek resting on his back during the ride, and did his best not to move too much afterwards. It felt good, and he didn't want to disturb his passenger too much.
As night fell, they sped out of muggle Berlin, which was just beginning to come to life in some parts. Ludwig noticed that the motorcycle was taking them a different route – this one seemed a bit more scenic.
"Next time we'll eat up there," Gilbert pointed up at the tall TV Tower that had become a permanent fixture of Berlin's cityscape as they passed through Alexanderplatz. "There's a restaurant up there."
"Have you ever been?" Ludwig asked, peering up himself. He himself had never given too much thought about muggle Berlin's 'symbols', choosing instead to distance himself from all of that.
"No. Never had the money to do it. But now I think I can."
They zipped through the streets, down past the historical museum and tourist shops and through Brandenburg Gate and the Tiergarten.
"I didn't know you knew your way around this area!" Gilbert said with a laugh. "If we keep going this way, we'll go to Charlottenburg and then we can go to my school!"
Of course Ludwig had no idea where they were going. He knew all of these things existed and had been around several times, but never through the streets like this. He couldn't tell that to Gilbert, though. This was his city and he seemed overjoyed to be revisiting it again the same way he used to.
He supposed that it was a nice little tour.
Soon enough Gilbert's familiar sights and streets were left behind and became Ludwig's familiar sights and streets in magical Berlin. This was home to Ludwig, and he had just a small, fleeting thought – that with Gilbert on his back, things at home were just a bit more comfortable.
Ludwig rolled in front of his house and the motorcycle automatically shut off. Now, the older man wasn't exactly sure what to do with his 'date', now that the date was technically over. Usually, people who date don't live together before they go on these dates, he figured.
Well, whatever. It would just be a normal night. Gilbert still had schoolwork to do so he would be more than excited to work on that. "That was nice," Ludwig said as he slid off and removed his helmet.
Gilbert did the same, still with a grin on his face. "Yes, that was really nice!" he said cheerfully.
They made it to the front door. Ludwig unlocked the door and opened it, stepping inside. He noticed that Gilbert was standing at the front step, making no motion to come in behind him. "Gilbert?"
"Aren't you going to invite me inside?"
This was suddenly very confusing and it put Ludwig in an uncomfortable position. Immediately he started to overthink. Had he said anything to imply that Gilbert was no longer welcome at home? Had the date actually gone horribly wrong and he hadn't noticed? Oh no, things were suddenly terrible when before they had been going so well—
"That's what people do, you know, after a date. One of them invites the other inside if they like them."
Okay, so maybe things weren't an absolute catastrophe after all. Ludwig could work with this. "Is that so?"
Gilbert nodded, a little bit shyly. "Yeah. They invite them in for coffee or tea and…stuff."
"And stuff?" Ludwig raised an eyebrow, stepping back out onto the front step to be with Gilbert.
He glanced off to the side for a moment, shifting on his feet. "Yeah, like…you invite them in, or sometimes you ask for a kiss."
Slowly, Ludwig saw where this was going. "A…kiss, huh?"
Their eyes locked, and Gilbert seemed to find his confidence again. "So what'll it be, huh? Coffee, or a kiss?"
"Shouldn't I be the one to ask that question, since this is my home, after all? You want me to invite you, don't you?"
Gilbert didn't say anything. He simply raised his head expectantly, put all his weight on the balls of his feet, and crossed his arms over his chest.
Ludwig rolled his eyes. Of course. This would all be on him. IT would be easy to say, 'would you like to come in for coffee?' but he knew that this wasn't about the coffee, or even coming in. Gilbert already knew he could come in any time. He lived with him, after all.
"I enjoyed our date very much," Ludwig started, gathering all of his courage. "And I enjoy your company. May I…have a kiss?"
A grin broke across Gilbert's face and he leaned forward a bit more. "I thought you'd never ask," he said, leaning up and placing his hands automatically on Ludwig's shoulders.
Ludwig meanwhile closed his eyes and braced for impact.
Gilbert's lips were surprisingly soft, and his touch surprisingly delicate, and it seemed like he knew what he was doing, which was somehow not surprising. For a moment Ludwig wondered how many other people Gilbert may have kissed, and a rare feeling of jealousy rose in him, but that was quickly banished when he felt the other come closer to him and curl his fingers around the collar of Ludwig's suit.
This…was nice.
This was very nice.
Ludwig's hands went to be around Gilbert's waist and they seemed very happy and comfortable there, and Ludwig forgot all of his worries and stress and insecurities for just a few blissful moments.
A loud bang was heard down the street somewhere, and it made both of them jump back and turn the source of the disruption. It sounded like somebody's waste bin lid had been knocked off.
"Alley cats," Gilbert said with a small laugh, looking up at him. "Maybe we should-"
"Would you like to come in for some coffee?" Ludwig interrupted, his brain slowly piecing itself back together.
Gilbert laughed and nodded slowly, taking one last look out on the street before turning to head into the house. "It would be my pleasure."
A/N: No, I didn't forget about Dynamo! It's at the most exciting part too - the first date! Forgive me for my absence in writing; I have been going through a bit of a rough patch in my life followed by a 2 week holiday to Germany. So life has certainly had its ups and downs, to say the least.
I'm anticipating writing about 2 or maybe 3 more chapters before bringing Dynamo to a wrap. I do know how it will end, it's just making sure that the story gets there in a natural way. But now that they've kissed - what will the future hold for our two favourite Quidditch players? No, we haven't reached "happily ever after" just yet...there are still more trials to overcome! Stay tuned!
EXTRA!
"These are great. Where did you get these, Johann?"
The motorcycle had just pulled into the front of Ludwig and Gilbert's home, and the two passengers climbed out. The street was quiet and still – save for several hushed voices, coming from a cluster of waste cans outside a house half a block away.
"My stint in the military."
Five figures crouched amongst the silver metal. One of them, the Berlin Badgers' Chaser, Frederick, held to his eyes a pair of binoculars, pointed in the direction of their captain's home. Behind him crouched the remaining team mates – Max, the Beater, Kurstin and Wolfgang, the other two Chasers, and the binoculars' owner, Johann the Seeker.
Kurstin reached over and grabbed the binoculars, pointing them to her own eyes. "I didn't know you were in the military."
"Yes, well I-"
"Did you kill anyone?" Frederick asked.
"Frederick!"
"Shh," Max immediately held his hand up to silence the group of amateur spies. "They're at the doorway."
"Do you think they're going to kiss?" Johann asked, leaning forward to see.
Frederick snatched the binoculars from a protesting Kurstin. "They fucking better. I didn't hide behind a potted plant for two hours while they had dinner just for them to call it quits at the very end."
Wolfgang had been quite for most of the night, but finally spoke up. "Do you think they noticed us following them the whole time?"
"They wouldn't have, if Frederick and Johann hadn't had their cock fight interfering with the entire subtlety of the night."
The Seeker scoffed, offended. "It's not my fault that Frederick was making Gilbert's bowtie ugly colours."
"Excuse me?" Frederick looked back at him. "You were the one giving him hideous colours. Zebra stripe? What were you even-"
"Shut up!" Max hit his brother on the back of the head. "They're talking now…" he pressed the tip of his wand to his ear to hear better. "About…being inside for coffee, I think."
"Coffee better be a code word for fucking," Kurstin mumbled, making the rest of the team look at her in surprise. Kurstin hardly ever cursed, nevertheless mention things such as that. "What?" she frowned, "I've been rooting for those two since day one."
The team settled in again to watch the scene unfold. At last, all gasped when they saw the two figures on the front steps lean forward and lock lips.
"Yes!" Frederick thrust his arm in the air. "What did I fucking tell you? They'll be fucking until the sun rises!"
Johann and Max clapped high fives in silent joy. Kurstin had the binoculars now and watched his teammate's first kiss without ever breaking eye contact. After a few moments, she gasped and flailed her arm to whoever was next to her – Wolfgang. "Ah! Ludwig put his hand on Gilbert's waist! Oh my God, it's getting so intense, they're so into it!" She took one step forward and hit the back of Frederick's foot, causing her to pitch forward over him. She went tumbling down, which brought down Wolfgang, who grabbed Max in surprise and brought him down too. They all hit the ground, slamming into the aluminium bins around them, making quite a racket.
"Kurstin! They'll hear us!" Frederick hissed as he struggled to regain his composure amongst the pile of Quidditch players and trash bins.
By the time they had all gotten up, and looked towards the house, they found that its inhabitants had retreated inside.
"Think they noticed us?" Johann whispered, fixing his hair.
"I hope not…how about we just not mention this to either one of them, ever?" Kurstin said, wobbling to her feet herself.
"Sounds like a plan…so, who's up for an afterparty?" Frederick leapt to his feet, pulling out his wallet. "Drinks on me, in celebration!"
