Word Count: 392
"Hold my hand," Dean says.
Seamus turns to him, brows raised curiously. He does as instructed, though, melting a little at the way Dean smiles.
These moments are rare. There are still those who would look at two men together and see it as wrong. But they steal their little moments and find places where they can be themselves. Today, it's at a pub near Dean's neighborhood. The West Ham match is on. Seamus doesn't understand how the Muggle boxes show moving pictures (which Dean has explained that most Muggles don't actually understand it either), but he likes to watch.
"Not that I'm complaining," Seamus says, brushing his thumb over Dean's knuckles affectionately, "but why am I holding your hand?"
Dean grins. "Because I'm so happy that I'm afraid I might float away."
Seamus laughs. He understands that so well. There's a certain freedom that comes with loving Dean. Some days, it makes him feel weightless. Others, he thinks the butterflies in his stomach might lend him their wings and lift him into the air.
The waitress comes with their plates. Seamus reluctantly lets go of Dean's hand. "You know," he says when they are alone again, "I hear there are countries where no one would even blink if two blokes were holding hands."
Dean shrugs. "I don't want another country. I want this one." He dips a chip in ketchup before popping it into his mouth and eating it with a content smile. "I want to be able to walk down the street with my boyfriend, and I want to know that Mrs. Marshall down the street is still going to smile at me and mean it when she wishes me a good morning."
Seamus considers this in silence. He nods. "Then let's do it."
"What?"
"Nothing is going to change if we keep sitting around and waiting for it to happen. Change has to start somewhere, right? Why not with us?"
He can see the nervousness flash through Dean's eyes. It's terrifying, but maybe it's crazy enough to work. He knows enough about history to know that revolution only happens when people take action. Why shouldn't they?
"Why not us?" Dean echoes, smiling.
And when the waitress returns to refill their drinks, they are holding hands, unconcerned with anyone who may not like the idea of them being in love.