It had been easy to fall in love with Gellert. Perhaps too easy, in retrospect.

After all, he had never had an equal before. Never had someone who could look at his work not in awe, but with a critical eye, making suggestions to improve it, helping him to create something greater and more brilliant than ever he alone could've done. At first, he had merely thought himself in love with Gellert's ideas, with the opportunity he presented. Then, he had tried to convince himself that he was only fascinated by Gellert's ideas, and not by his eyes, not by his lips, not by his hands. Now, though, he is finding this more difficult than he has ever found anything else in his life.

Albus Dumbledore is not used to finding things difficult.

They are sitting in his room, reading, as they often do. Reading with Gellert is so much better than reading alone, because they are able to discuss their respective articles with each other- really, it's like reading two articles at once. Ariana is asleep, as she has been for hours, she is in a fit of exhaustion and is unlikely to wake up for quite some time. Aberforth has gone into town, looking for some things for his goats. It is only Gellert and Albus, now. And though it doesn't really matter, Albus is acutely aware that they are as alone as they have ever been. He supposes it shows on his face, though, because Gellert asks him about it.

"Albus?" he says, and Albus very pointedly ignores how much he likes the way Gellert says his name, with that lovely accent, "Are you quite alright?"

Albus swallows. "Perfectly alright. It's a bit hot in here, is all."

Gellert nods, but his eyes are suspicious. For the first time, Albus considers that perhaps there are some drawbacks to having an equal.

"Ariana is asleep", he says very suddenly. He is not sure what made him say it. "And Aberforth is out. We're… it's just us."

Gellert raises his eyebrows. There is the ghost of a smile on his face. "Is that so?"

Albus blinks. It is too late to turn back now. "Yes", he says, his voice barely a whisper.

Gellert moves a bit closer to him, and his heart skips a beat. "Thank you, Albus, for that fascinating bit of information."

And then Gellert grabs his hand, and Albus's world explodes.

He is blind and deaf and out of his mind, unable to see anything or hear anything or feel anything except Gellert, and Gellert's body against his, and the feel of Gellert's lips against his as Gellert presses him against the wall.

"I love you", he whispers against Gellert's mouth, again and again and again.

He is so drunk on Gellert's kiss that he does not notice that Gellert does not say it back.


AN: Aaaaaannd we're done! Sorry it took me so long to write what is really a rather short story, been busy with other things. Anyway, happy Valentine's Day! If you've a date, I sincerely hope they are significantly better than Gellert Grindelwald.