Holmes Mystery: scent

Chocolate Frogs, Ignatia Wildsmith: Use the Floo Network in your story

Buttons: BlaiseTheo.

Word Count: 423


For several moments, there is only bliss when Blaise wakes. The bed and blankets are still so warm and inviting, and he wants nothing more than to melt into them and sleep forever. All he needs is Theo beside him again, but the scent of bacon that fills the small cottage easily explains his boyfriend's absence.

Blaise smiles to himself and rolls over. This bliss quickly fades and is replaced by panic when he sees the time. He's late for work. Well, technically not late, but he won't be able to go back to his place to change clothes.

He takes several deep breaths. No one will be able to tell where he's coming from. When he Floos himself to the Ministry, he'll just appear in a grate and move along. Besides, it isn't as though he and Theo are doing anything wrong. The world is progressing; dating someone of the same sex is only considered strange by traditional families. No one at the Ministry would care.

Blaise climbs out of bed. His clothes from the day before are strewn across the room. With a quick wave of his wand, he casts a spell to remove the creases from the fabric. If he can't change into a fresh outfit, he can at least make himself look as presentable as possible. Satisfied, he pulls the clothes on and hurries out.

Theo is in the dining room, piling food onto the plates. Blaise watches, smiling to himself. He never imagined that he would enjoy the domestic life. His mother scared him and made him believe that love is for the weak. Theo, however, has shown him a whole new world, and he loves it.

"You couldn't have started earlier?" Blaise teases, plucking a strip of bacon from his plate and popping it into his mouth with a content moan. "So good. But if I sit and eat, I'll be late."

"Not my fault you looked too cute to wake," Theo counters, kissing Blaise's cheek before casting a quick spell to wrap his plate. "Eat it at your desk."

Blaise grins. "You're the best."

His boyfriend kisses him again. "I know."

Blaise makes his way to the fireplace, grabbing a pinch of Floo Powder and tossing it in as he calls out his destination. With one last glance at Theo, he disappears. Once, he had dreamt only of working, of bettering himself and always having more. Now, he despises going to work because he knows he has to leave Theo behind, if only for a moment.