~Double Cherries~
~Chapter 3- Planting The Seed~
Constant Togetherness Is Fine - But Only For Siamese Twins ~ Victoria Billings
The two agreed that the sooner they put their plan into action, the sooner it would work. Hugo was slightly unsure now that he thought about it because this was Lysander, who was supposed to be his best friend. But he was only helping… and he end result would be great of course… wouldn't it?
So Hugo and Lysander made their way down to the Ravenclaw common room, as they would usually do, however it was different this time.
The 'couple' had their hands intertwined tightly in a intimate way. Hugo noticed that Lysander had particularly big hands, yet his fit perfectly within the blonde's palm. Well… Lorcan's would be the same wouldn't they? But Lysander's were so warm… they were the hands which had always stroked his hair when he was upset, playfully tap his nose when they were joking. They were… special in their own way.
Lysander was slightly in front when they entered the common room, in a slightly protective stance. Hugo automatically hid behind his hair in embarrassment. He felt the need to rest his forehead on Lysander's shoulder, only to hide even more though.
No one noticed them at first as they blended into the scenery and other students. Slowly, Lysander stepped towards an empty sofa, Hugo following behind him. When Lysander sped up, he tugged on Hugo's arm, causing Hugo to trip over his own feet.
Lysander instinctively shot his arms out to catch the smaller boy and Hugo landed inelegantly in Lysander's arms. The warm embrace the two boys had found themselves in was what their fellow classmates were attracted to first.
Hugo looked up into Lysander's large blue eyes, his wide eyes startled by the sudden closeness. Hugo watched as Lysander's eyes flickered around to the people watching intently. The red head felt a flush come to his cheeks.
Hugo felt a hand slide up his back and he shivered slightly. Those warm hands…
Lysander's palm came to rest of Hugo's hair, stroking the boy's fiery bangs out of his eyes slightly. Hugo was frozen in Lysander's arms, but he felt strangely comfortable as his friend caressed his hair.
"Are you okay?" Lysander whispered, his hot breath tickling Hugo's nose and he was very well aware of it.
By now, they had perked the interest of more Ravenclaws who were instantly drawing conclusions. Hugo breathed heavily though, absolutely transfixed on Lysander, "I-I'm fine."
Lysander allowed Hugo to regain his balance properly and brush himself off, still with a deep shade of red tainting his cheeks. That was when Hugo first saw the whispering of his classmates around him and knew they would also be suspecting something.
But that was the plan, he reminded himself.
Confidently, Hugo grasped Lysander's hand tightly as they crept towards the sofa. They quickly popped down on the couch, still holding hands firmly.
"Are you sure you're okay? Your pulse is racing." Lysander muttered, running a thumb over Hugo's wrist.
Hugo smiled timidly, bowing his head, "I'm just a little nervous."
"It's okay…" Lysander raised his hand to run his fingers through Hugo's fringe. Hugo felt his cheeks heat up again, as he felt the eyes of his classmates around him, so he closed his own eyes, just concentrating on the feeling of Lysander's palm.
When Hugo felt a hot pair of lips pressed against his forehead, his eyes automatically shot open in shock. He stared at Lysander's chin as the blonde fondly kissed his forehead. In the background he heard a few gasps and curious mutters spread through the room.
Yet the soft kiss felt… strangely comforting.
Lysander pulled away, his hand now resting on Hugo's pink cheeks. They caught each other's eyes, Lysander smiling softly and Hugo knew it must be cause their plan was working. Ravenclaws were all watching them with their mouths gaping and they knew they had planted the seed.
A sudden thought came over Hugo as he gazed into Lysander's eyes. Was Lysander okay with this? He knew he was only pretending… but Lysander was still straight? Was he comfortable with doing this with Hugo? Was he really just that good a friend that he would even pretend to be gay just to help him.
"It's working." Lysander mumbled in Hugo's ear, making sure to make it look intimate.
Hugo watched as their plan started to unfold, "Y-yeah."
~X~
They went up not long after, leaving the students to whisper and the rumours to spread. They woke up in the morning and the first thing they saw was their room mates rush out the room. Hugo rolled over to face Lysander's bed and groaned.
"Have we made a mistake? Are people not going to think we're… normal?" Hugo said groggily, Lysander could see he was half asleep.
"No. They're just not used to the idea," Lysander stretched his arms out to the side, grinning, "Don't worry, Hugo. It will all be fine… I promise."
They made their way down to breakfast, this time their hands not clasped together, but by their sides. Lysander made sure to walk closely to Hugo, though, they often walked side by side like this normally, their hands brushing. However this time… it was different. This time, Hugo felt a shiver run through him every time their skin touched, as well as when their eyes met. He assumed it was because that kiss last night had caught him off guard.
As they sat at the Ravenclaw table like every other day, the glances and whispers were annoyingly noticeable. It seemed the news had already travelled quite far as Hufflepuffs were indiscreetly pointing, some girls even squealing in delight.
Hugo wasn't used to attention and he certainly didn't crave it in any way. To have all these eyes on him at one time, was so overwhelming and embarrassing. He wanted to curl up away in the corner, so no one could find him.
Everyone knew he was gay. Everyone knew he was different and they were all judging him for it. He grabbed onto Lysander's arm for support, nuzzling his nose into the other boy's shoulder to feel some kind of comfort. Lysander flinched but knew how embarrassed Hugo would be at this point and needed to protect him at this point in time. He slipped an arm around the younger's shoulders, rubbing his forearm.
They sat down simultaneously, Hugo releasing his friend's arm as they did so. For a few minutes, they endured the stares in silence, glancing at each other every so often but proceeding to eat their breakfast. Lysander wasn't so much embarrassed himself, but was worried about Hugo. He knew Hugo thought that people were judging him and disapproving. But being gay in the Wizarding world today was not a big deal anymore. There were only few who didn't accept it and there were no known or vocal homophobes in Hogwarts and as far as Lysander knew, Hugo didn't know any outside of Hogwarts either. Hugo was getting worked up over nothing at this point. What he should truly be anxious about, is Lorcan's reaction when he finds out.
"Is it true?"
Hugo recognised the voice instantly and winced at the thought of telling this person. If they told this person, everyone would know it would true, faster than you could ever think. But… that's what they wanted, didn't they? That was what was supposed to happen…
Slowly, the 'couple' turned around to face James Potter, who had no disgust painted on his face like Hugo would have imagined, but just his eyebrows raised in a suggestive manner.
"So… the rumours?" James said, his lips quirking slightly, "You two together?"
Hugo cringed in his seat but Lysander sat up straight, confidently, "And so what if we were?"
"Well, I would say I'm happy for you and everything," James shrugged, casting his eye line downwards, "Surprised, but happy. You two are great together, in my opinion."
Hugo suddenly frowned, pouting faintly as well but still hid behind his locks, "What do you mean by that?"
James furrowed his eyebrows too at his cousin, while Lysander watched the two family members intently, "I just meant you've got on so well since you were young. You seem like the kind of couple who would last. You care about each other…" Hugo nibbled on his lip in confusion. Would James and others think that about him and Lorcan? "Are you not actually together?"
"Yes," Hugo said abruptly before Lysander could even open his mouth to reply as well, "We are together."
Lysander blinked in surprise at Hugo's sudden upfront attitude but James just grinned, "Well congratulations. Didn't think either of you were gay though, I admit. Kind of forgot to even investigate with the start of Lorcan's rampage through all the boys in the school, as well as girls."
Hugo kept his face unchanged though he felt a pang of jealousy, "We're more discreet."
"Have you told your parents?" James said, directly at Hugo.
Hugo's eyes widened. His parents… he hadn't even thought properly about his parents recently. How would they react? What would they think? Would they find out through others or would he have to tell them himself?
Hugo knew his mother would accept it. She had often expressed her opinion about how any gay person was equal to any other straight person in every way and had as much right to see other people and fall in love with who they wanted. She was always rather accepting of anything to do with her own children and although it would be a shock, Hugo knew she would be the same about this.
His father was a different matter. Ron Weasley wasn't homophobic, no, not at all. He said that 'the gays' could do what they like, as long as they keep away from him. Which was fair enough in a way. But the way his father always shied away from homosexual people indicated to Hugo that he would not be comfortable with his son being gay. Eventually he would approve. But it would take long for him to accept… and Hugo knew this about his father.
"No… Not yet." Hugo said solemnly. Lysander grabbed his hand straight away, not because he was pretending, but because that is what he would have done just as friends.
"Well… maybe you should? You should have done that first?" James said with a slight cringe, not liking the fact that he was the one discussing it with Hugo.
Hugo sighed, resting his head on Lysander's shoulder as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Lysander smiled to himself, his head falling onto Hugo's as well, "I'll tell them soon."
~X~
A/N: Sorry it's been so long! I was away over Christmas and new years, so couldn't post anything. Did manage to write quite a bit of my story plan for my other story, 'What Am I Feeling?'. It is going to be VERY long.
This chapter is really quite short and not that eventful. The proper drama is due to start next chapter... hehe.
Thanks to Drumline and JagBdB for reviewing last chapter! Much appreciated!
Hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and New Year!
