Charms, task 3: erasing someone's memory with Obliviate

Word Count: 752


"Just stay the hell away from me!" Piers snaps, nearly tripping over his own feet as he stumbles backward.

Dean holds his hands up, palms facing outward to show he isn't a threat. It kills him that he has to do that at all. "Piers, please…"

"What are you?" Piers demands, frantically rubbing his hand over his close-cropped dark hair, his hazel eyes wide with fear.

"I'm a wizard. Please, just let me explain."

But it's no use. Dean can see it in his lover's eyes. Piers doesn't want to hear anything that he has to say. Maybe Dean can't really blame him; it is a major bombshell. He can still hear Seamus' voice so clearly explaining that it was a nasty shock for his dad to find out he was married to a witch.

...

Dean's hand trembles as he plucks his wand from his pocket. Tears cling to his lashes, and he quickly wipes them away. There is no shame in emotions, but now is not the time to give in. This is hard enough as it is, and he has to be strong now.

"Alohomora," he whispers.

His stomach twists painfully when he hears the soft click of the lock giving way. Breaking into his ex-boyfriend's flat is crazy enough. Breaking into it with magic while knowing magic has left his ex completely traumatized… There has to be a special place in Hell for someone so cruel.

...

"Is he in there?" Dean asks.

The look on Dudley's face says it all. Of course Piers is in there; of course Dudley is the one to come to the door to make sure Dean knows he isn't welcome.

Dudley says and shakes his head. "Look, mate, I really do like you. But Piers is practically family."

Dean nods. He hates to admit it, but he understands. Dudley is only doing what he thinks is right. If the tables were turned, he would hope Seamus would be this strong for him.

Dean cranes his neck, peering in over Dudley's shoulder. The flat is tinged grey with cigarette smoke, and Dean can smell the bitter scent of burnt tobacco mixed with alcohol fumes. Guilt sits in his stomach like a heavy stone.

Piers is spiraling, and it's all Dean's fault.

"How is he?" Dean asks, but he already knows the answer.

"I think you should leave."

Dean's lips press into a hard, thin line. He offers Dudley a salute before turning on his heel and walking away.

...

The smell of sweat and beer wash over him the moment he steps into the living room. Dean's stomach churns as his heart breaks. He caused this. Piers could have lived a normal, healthy life and not fall back into his old habits, but Dean ruined any chance of that. All he had to do was keep his magic to himself.

Maybe he's being hard on himself. His magic is part of who he is. Asking him to hide it is like asking him to hide the color of his skin. It isn't something that can be helped. He never asked to be a wizard, just like he never asked to be black. Some things are beyond his control.

Piers is passed out on the couch. A liquor bottle is on the cushion beside him, amber liquor spilling out and saturating the battered green material. Dozens of empty bottles litter the carpet. Dean prays they aren't all from today.

Once again, he retrieves his wand and takes a deep breath. He can do this. The fact that Piers is asleep should make it easier.

If the Ministry finds out, he's in big trouble. That should scare him, but it doesn't. He has the chance to make things right, to give Piers a better future.

A future without me in it, he thinks, and the tears threaten to fall again.

It's for the best. Piers will be better off without Dean's memory.

"I'm sorry," Dean whispers. "Please forgive me."

He raises his wand. God, he wishes his hand wouldn't tremble so badly.

"Obliviate."

"What do you think?" Piers asks, setting a real estate flier down on the table. "One bed, one bath. Enough room that we could get a dog."

Dean chuckles. "You're sure you want me to move in?" he asks. "You might get tired of me eventually."

With a grin, Piers leans in, pressing a quick kiss to his lips. "I could never."

And in that moment, Dean thinks that maybe he really means it.