A/N: The typos in James' text messages are purposeful.

Lorcan pressed back into the couch, looking around his new flat with a smile. It felt good to have a place that was his own, and knowing that he was in Australia made it better. There was something about making it on his own far from home, his parents, and his brother that made him feel like he could conquer the world. If he could do this, he could do anything.

He pulled out the Muggle phone he'd invested in before leaving. It was faster than an owl, and he was happy that his father had suggested it, even if his boyfriend was less than enthusiastic about learning how to use one.

Snapping a photo of the bright room he'd spent hours arranging, Lorcan sent the picture off to James with the caption: It's finally done, but I wish the final touch was you. :(

He was disappointed when a response didn't immediately appear, but he also wasn't surprised. James had promised to keep his phone on him at all times, but he'd been struggling with it when Lorcan left. It was going to take him a while to be capable of responding with any speed.

The doorbell rang, making Lorcan jump. It was the first time he'd heard it, and he wasn't used to the Muggle way of being alerted to guests. He didn't like it. Perhaps James was right, and he should have chosen a wizarding neighborhood to live in, but choosing a Muggle one had felt like even more of an adventure, a way to live up to being a Gryffindor.

He was thrilled with the idea of meeting someone new. Having only been in Brisbane for a day, the people he'd met was limited to his landlord and a few passersby on the street. When he opened the door, he was faced with a smiling woman a few years older than he was. Her light blonde hair reminded him of his mother, but her eyes were a dark brown instead of blue, and he could tell right away that she didn't the same capacity for thinking outside the box.

"Hello," she said, sticking out her hand.

Lorcan shook it with a grin, echoing her greeting.

"I heard someone new had moved in and wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood. I'm Sarah," she said.

"Oh, thanks. I really appreciate it. I'm Lorcan."

Her grin widened when she caught onto his accent.

"Are you British?" she asked.

"Yes," Lorcan said uncertainly, suddenly self-conscious.

His brother had been teasing him for months about how many men and women would want to date him because of his accent, but that had mostly been to rile James up. Lorcan didn't think it would be true, but the woman's eyes lit up as if this new revelation thrilled her.

"Have you just moved to Australia?"

"Yes," Lorcan replied with the same uncertainty.

"That's great!" she exclaimed, bobbing on her toes and clapping her hands together. "I don't know if you know anyone yet, but I'd love to show you around. If you need anything, let me know. I live in 142, right over there."

She pointed at the door diagonal from his.

Lorcan nodded slowly, overwhelmed by how quickly she had been speaking.

"Thank you," he said. "I really appreciate it. I don't know anyone yet."

Before she could say anything else, Lorcan's phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out eagerly.

It looks boring. You could have found a better place in London. Next to me. Or with me. But no. Australia had your dream job. You couldn't have studied Billywigs in Britain. I'm still angry. ANd I still hate this phone. What is :(? Writing is easier. This sucks. Just like Australia.

Lorcan couldn't help but smile.

:( is a frowning face, James, and typing will get easier. Besides, you'll be in Australia with me next year. 3 (That's a heart.)

He almost became lost in his own world as he typed his response, but as soon as he hit send, he remembered that Sarah was still standing there. He looked up sheepishly, and she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Sorry. That was my boyfriend."

He watched her closely at the word "boyfriend." She shifted to her other foot and widened her grin. He could tell that she was consciously controlling her actions to make sure he knew she didn't care. It was the best response he could hope for.

"I'll let you go then," she said. "But do let me know if you need anything."

"Of course," Lorcan said. "I'm sure I will. I don't know where anything in this city is yet."

She gave a short laugh at that.

"How about coffee tomorrow morning?" she offered. "I can show you a great cafe near here. I bet you'll become a regular. Everyone in this building is."

"Sounds great," Lorcan said, fiddling with his phone in his hands as his mind remained half on a possible reply.

He waved goodbye before closing the door.

As soon as he was alone again, his phone buzzed.

I know. I'm looking for a job. I swear. This time I'm not putting it of. I miss kissing you.

Lorcan's smile widened, and he found himself holding his phone closer to his chest as if it would bring him closer to James as well.

You just kissed me yesterday.

He sent a kissing face emoji along with the text, and laughed as he imagined James' face as he tried to figure out how Lorcan had gotten a picture to go with the text. Maybe they couldn't kiss, but the texting was going to be fun.

Prompts:

Hogwarts Challenges and Assignments

Seasonal Challenges - Days of the Year: National Good Neighbor Day - Write about someone meeting their new neighbors

Seasonal Challenges - Autumn Prompts: (word) bright

Word count: 936