For the Hogwarts forum Assignment #12 for Zoology, Task #7 - Write about a couple who have been together for many years (over 20 at least, can be canon or not). I don't specify their ages or anything in this, but the idea is that they're around 50 or something.

Sam has been working at Sunny Fire Starters for three weeks so far. It's one of the few stores near Diagon Alley that's willing to hire students still at Hogwarts over their break. Sam applied to a few other stores too, including two on Diagon Alley—but they'd been rejected from all of them. Not that they'd expected otherwise, to be honest. Competition for job positions in the stores on Diagon Alley is always tough and Sam's never heard of any sixth-year students getting one without prior job experience.

Fire Starters has been a shop for over a decade, but its owners have been involved with the firework scene for much longer. Sam's never actually met both of the owners at the same time, but they've met them separately. There's Seamus who's behind all the firepower and colours and that part of the development, and then there's Dean who deals with the artwork the fireworks create.

Despite the influential role both play in the development of the fireworks, they both still frequently help out with the retail aspect of the shop too. This is how Sam knows that Seamus is more likely to be loud and send sparks flying—sometimes literally—while Dean is a bit softer, but just as willing to grin.

The point is that Sam's never actually seen the pair of them together, though they must be good friends to have started a business together. However, they never seem to mention one another which is kind of… strange, in Sam's opinion. Not that they're private or anything! They knows a lot about their husbands but they don't know what they think of each other.

Which is why Sam can't believe their eyes when Seamus enters on a day that Dean's working. "Hey Sam!" Seamus immediately says, bell still chiming, "How are you?"

"Good, thanks," Sam says, slightly belatedly. "I'm- How are you?"

"Living my best life!" Seamus strides into the shop, easily weaving between the shelves and boxes. Just before the counter, he leaps up and taps a sign with his hand, and Sam can't help but roll his eyes as sparks go whizzing overhead, noiseless, but bright bursts of colour. Whenever Seamus enters, he always taps the sign to trigger the spell. It was impressive the first five times Sam had seen it, but now they're used to it—and they now know how it works too. It involves a lot of things and is very confusing and Sam doesn't want to learn about it again. The first time had been confusing enough.

"I'm glad to hear that," Sam replies. "You don't- You don't normally work today?" His voice lilts up at the end, marking it a question, and Seamus hums in response, considering the front display.

Sam narrows their eyes. They had just redone that. "Nice work," Seamus says, nodding at the counter. "And you're right, I don't normally work today. But," he shrugs, "wanted to surprise Dean. He out back?"

Blinking in surprise, Sam nods. "He should be back out soon? He's checking over the pink cannons. Said he was worried about a bad batch?"

Seamus groans and rolls his eyes. "I told my husband that I'd already checked over everything." Before Sam can helpfully point out Seamus needs to tell Dean rather than his husband, Dean comes out, whistling softly to himself. Behind him, a series of boxes float—the pink cannon fireworks that he'd been checking over.

He doesn't seem to notice Seamus, instead pausing to direct the boxes back to where they'd been before he takes them. Then, he sheathes his wand and turns to Sam—and, at last, sees Seamus.

Dean's face immediately brightens, a grin growing. He steps forward, gaze focussed solely on Seamus, and Sam has the bizarre feeling that they don't exist. "Hey," Seamus says, stepping forward just as easily. "How are you going love?"

Oh. That explains everything, because-

They fit into each other's embrace easily, holding on tight, and then Dean kisses Seamus' cheek and steps back. "I'm doing well, my love."

-they're married. Which is why they only talk about their husbands because they are husbands. Sam feels kind of dumb for not picking it up sooner. All the pieces of the puzzle they didn't know they were missing come together. How Seamus' husband is so good at drawing—because it's Dean. How Dean's husband is so good with explosions—because it's Seamus.

Sam's friends are going to have a field day when they tell them about how they didn't pick up on this. They tune back into the conversation, just as Dean asks, "Any reason in particular you're here today?"

Humming, Seamus turns, considering the empty shop. They'd had a few customers earlier, but it's been a slow day—it is a Tuesday though, so Sam had kind of expected that. "Date day," Seamus declares, and Sam hides a smile behind their hand as Dean groans theatrically.

"Really?" He asks, even as he waves his wand and his jacket comes flying out of the backroom. "I'm working."

"You mean, you were," Seamus corrects, nudging Dean with his shoulder. Dean tries to frown, but a smile wins out. Sam muffles another laugh. "C'mon, it's been a slow day and you can totally get out of work for the day. Give Sam a day off! I'm sure they'll appreciate it."

Sam's fairly certain their friends are hanging out in Diagon Alley today and they can totally gate-crash. While they aren't dependent upon their pay or anything, it'll still suck.

"Sam will appreciate your lack of explosions, I'm sure," Dean agrees, before turning to Sam. "It's your call—you'll be paid either way and we won't take it out of your sicks days either."

Wide-eyed, Sam glances between them. The day off with pay? That sounds like a dream. "You're sure?"

"Without a doubt," Seamus says, and Sam didn't even notice but at some point the two have tangled their fingers together, now holding hands. It's undeniable cute and Sam's sure if they'd seen the pair together earlier, they would've realised that they were in love. After all, it's easy to see with how they turn to one another without thought, how they make space without a word, how they reach out so easily.

Sam thinks that they'd like something like that when they were older. But that's a long time off, and right now they've got a free day to make the most of. "Thanks!" They chirp, before scrambling to the backroom and grabbing their bag, quickly stuffing the name badge away.

When they return to the main part of the store, the two are waiting at the door, talking quietly to one another, bodies facing each other. It reminds Sam of how flowers turn to face the sun—except it's like two flowers are turning to face each other, finding their own sun.

They grimace. Where are all these metaphors coming from? They really need to get something to eat before they begin spouting poetry of some kind.

Dean holds the door open, before following Sam out onto the street. Sam pauses briefly, waiting for the pair to lock the storefront up, and then, before saying goodbye, they say, "Enjoy your date!"

The pair laugh, still holding hands. Seamus' grin is wide, open; and Dean's slightly softer, gentler, but just as meaningful Sam knows. "Thanks," Seamus says. "Enjoy your day off."

"Will do!" Sam says with a wave, and then they're heading down the street to Diagon Alley. They're sure their friends will be very interested in laughing at how they didn't realise their bosses are married.