Auction: Knight Bus

Thanatology - 4. Write about something that starts sad and ends on a happy note.

Cause when you cut down deeper

Lucius waits for Ted to come and help him.

Lucius isn't sure how long he's been sitting on the knight bus, just that everyone who was on it when he got on, has gotten to their destination already, and the bus has filled up two or three more times. It's cold, and though he's wrapped up warm, he doesn't want to be here much longer. But he's nowhere to go and Ted has yet to turn up for him. He knows Ted will show, Ted is reliable like that. He twists the scarf around his hands as he watches outside, feeling a little guilty for summoning Ted during what looks to be a snowstorm.

He's the only person on it save the staff, and thankfully they aren't bothering him. But he's bored and his mind is all over the place, yet all he can focus on is how ugly the mauve seats are, and how uncomfortable they feel.

Finally he hears the familiar footsteps and the seat next to him is taken. A warm flask is pressed into his hands and he rushes to open it, drinking some of the hot tea inside.

"You've caught me at a really bad time," Ted grumbles. "I was at work, Lucius. The owl scared my boss and I had to protect the poor thing from a broom whilst getting the letter without it being noticed." He looks around the bus. "And I had no idea how to even get the knight bus so I had to owl someone and ask—"

"You didn't tell them that I was on it, did you?" Lucius asks, horrified.

"I didn't mention your name," Ted says, a fond smile on his lips. "Though you're not exactly inconspicuous. If anyone that knows you saw you, then your secret is out. You get the knight bus like some… some commoner."

Lucius snorts at the word. Ted is ridiculous, but that's why he's become so fond of the other man. He looks around to make sure it's empty. "I heard that you've got your own flat now."

"I was the one who told you. In one of my letters. One of the ones you didn't reply to. This is the first time I've heard from you since we left school. It's been five months, Lucius. Then I get a letter out of the blue - you need help, you'll be on the Knight Bus for the rest of the day, and probably night. Lucius, I don't know what you want from me. We dated for two weeks, if you'd even call it that. Then we make plans to meet after Hogwarts and you… you tell me that you just need time. I don't hear from you for months and I start to assume you're done with me. Then… then you call me here. You know I'm here for you, no matter what. But I think… I deserve to know what's going on."

Lucius sighs and nods. "You do."

"And you didn't even say to come and get you. As the letter says, 'I demand you come here and help me'." Ted is at least amused by this, thankfully.

"Father is arranging a marriage for me," Lucius mutters. "I don't know what to do. I think he knows that I was in a relationship with another man and he did not take it well."

Silence follows this. It stretched. Two people get on the bus, and two people get right back off.

"Do you want to get married?" Ted finally asks, his voice a little strangled.

Lucius shakes his head. "It's what's expected of me," he murmurs instead. "But… but then I thought about you. I argued with father and he told me to leave. I'm unsure if or when I'll be welcome home." He nudges a small bag with his foot, half-hidden under the seat in front. "Or if I want to go. What is your flat like?"

"It's one bedroom," Ted murmurs. "But you are so very welcome."

Lucius smiles. Relieved. And when Ted takes his hand after they get off the bus, heading for Ted's place, Lucius doesn't even think of pulling his hand away. He just lets his smile grow.

Cat Herding - Lucius / Faculty Room - "You've caught me at a really bad time."

Back to School - 80: Mauve

Gotta Catch Them All - 9. Cinccino: (item) scarf

Showtime - 21. Oh Sherrie - (genre) Hurt/Comfort

Film Festival - 19. (plot point) Taking a break in a relationship / moving past that break

Lizzy's Loft - 11. Dancing in the Dark - You could get me in some trouble

Elizabeth's Empire - 12. (word) grow

Lyric Alley - 4. You ain't gotta say it, baby, I know

Throwback - What You Get Is What You See: - Prompt - Include a character in your fic who is considered a "pretty boy".

Buttons - Word - (4) Snowstorm / object (4) flask

Celebrating Women - 28. Pistis - (trait) reliable