Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count - 815
I'm Okay, I'm With You
1991.
"I didn't expect anyone else to be staying," Theo admitted, as he sat down by the fire next to Blaise.
"My mother is with her newest husband," Blaise replied, rolling his eyes. "I just… couldn't be bothered dealing with it. There's no point getting close to them."
Theo nodded. "My dad has a date with a bottle of firewhisky, the same as every Christmas."
Blaise nodded to the chest set in the corner. "We can have a good Christmas together then. I'll even let you play white."
Theo rolled his eyes. "As if I need an advantage against you."
Blaise grinned. "We'll find out."
…
1992.
Dear Theo,
Happy Christmas! I'm so utterly bored at home, and sincerely miss the chess set from last year. My mother's husband is a bore of the highest degree, I'll be surprised if I make it through lunch without falling asleep in the gravy!
How's your Christmas going? Did you get anything nice?
I have a present for you, but I don't really want to send it, so you're going to have to have it late, I'm afraid. Hopefully it will be worth it though.
See you soon,
Blaise.
Dear Blaise,
Merry Christmas to you too! I moved past boredom days ago. I've even finished my homework already, it's been so ridiculously dull.
My father started early on the alcohol, so he's already passed out in front of the fire. At least it means I don't have to listen to the Nott Family History like usual, right?
As soon as we get back to Hogwarts, I'll beat you at chess to remind you of your shocking defeat last year. I'll even let you play with the white pieces.
I'm sending your present via owl, because it's small enough, but I'm excited to see what you got me and hear if you like yours.
See you soon,
Theo.
…
1993.
"I don't think I can move," Theo complained rubbing his slightly extended stomach. "Why didn't you stop me?"
"I was right there with you," Blaise moaned. He was slumped on the sofa with his eyes closed.
"So… next year, we probably don't accept a challenge about food from Crabbe and Goyle, huh?"
"Never again," Blaise agreed. "Not ever."
…
1994.
"Are you okay?"
Blaise nodded, changing silently into his pyjamas. "Peachy."
Theo frowned. "Did you, uh, have a good time at the ball?"
"It was fine."
"Blaise? What's wrong?"
"I saw you kiss her," Blaise said. "I… didn't like it. I don't—" he shook his head. "It's fine. Ignore me."
Theo stepped closer. "She kissed me, and… I didn't like it either. She wasn't who I wanted to kiss."
"Yeah?"
Theo moved closer still and pressed slightly chapped lips to Blaises'. "Yeah."
…
1995.
"That's… festive," Blaise said, frowning slightly.
"It's awful," Theo replied, his lips sitting in a natural pout that Blaise always wanted to kiss away. "But Draco is a tosspot who takes winning bets very seriously."
Blaise snorted but nodded sympathetically because everyone in their dorm had been on the losing end of at least one of Draco's bets.
Theo dropped onto the sofa beside Blaise and snuggled into his side, burrowing his face into Blaise's—not at all festive—jumper.
"You're still gorgeous, baby," Blaise assured him quietly, pressing a kiss to Theo's temple. "Merry Christmas."
"Hmph."
…
1996.
"My father, he—"
"I know, Theo."
"I don't want to," Theo admitted. "But I think… I think maybe I'm not going to have a choice if I want to keep breathing."
Blaise closed his eyes and turned his head into Theo's stomach. Theo's hand continued to stroke through his hair.
"It's Christmas," Blaise said eventually. "Can we just… forget about it for a while. Just… until it's not Christmas."
Theo softened. "Sure babe. Chess?"
"Chess."
…
1997.
They walked in formation with the rest of the Slytherins. Theo almost thought that going home would have been better than this, but Blaise shifted slightly and gripped Theo's hand and he knew that it wouldn't have been.
Hogwarts wasn't Hogwarts anymore, but Blaise was still here, and wherever Blaise was meant Theo was home.
They saw at the table in silence as they ate, the Carrows eyes drifting over the hall. It wasn't the best Christmas, but it wasn't the worst.
Later that night, they curled up together in Blaise's bed. They were still silent, but it was comfortable now instead of oppressive like in the hall.
"Are you okay?" Blaise asked. Theo could see the dark mark peaking out beneath his sleeve and he pulled it down. He'd never let Blaise touch it; he didn't want Blaise to be tainted by it.
"I'm with you, of course I'm okay."
"I love you," Blaise murmured.
"I love you too."
…
1998.
"Merry Christmas, babe," Blaise murmured, his hand resting on the solid marble of the gravestone. "I love you."
Written for;
Auction - TheoBlaise
365 - 103. Festive
1000 - 674. No femslash pairings