Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters end up in. Everything else belongs to someone else and that's the way of it.

Step Seven

With a bounce in his step and a song in his heart Hugo arrived at work on Monday, his hands occupied with the three large bakery boxes he'd brought with him. As he'd explained to the people he'd already encountered and fed, he'd had a really, really good weekend and had felt like spreading the happiness around. Not surprisingly a number of people either knew or suspected how he'd spent his weekend so he got a lot of weird looks, but everyone loved him too much to actually say something mean to him. Naturally they all blamed Dolohov for no doubt seducing their favorite curly top, many of them having less than nice plans for the Slytherin should he dare to approach them in the near future.

Unaware of the dark plans some of his friends were concocting Hugo was very aware of the fact that people were taking notice of the now faint bruising just visible under his jumper depending on how he moved. Alexei had supervised that, not wanting anyone to get the wrong idea about the bruising the way he had after their reunion Friday night.

He would have been annoyed about how thoroughly Alexei had removed most of the markings their lovemaking had caused, but the constant sex all weekend had insured that his bum would keep reminding him for a while to come. That and the knowledge that the Slytherin was so bloody stubborn and sure that his incredibly stupid plan would work made him happy, sure that there was no way Alexei wouldn't be sharing his bed for the foreseeable future. They wouldn't see each other as much during the week of course, but Alexei was going to bring supper to his place tonight, and sleep over afterwards.

Yay

Hopelessly amused at himself Hugo set the treats on the break table and then headed for his own desk, grinning at the sound of people stampeding towards said table to get first crack at the desserts. Some things in life were so very predictable.

Alexei was very predictable when it came to some things, unfathomable when it came to others, the Gryffindor thought as he took his seat, automatically sorting through the mess scattered over his desk. His mum and sister had always despaired over the fact that he took after his father when it came to his neatness. He'd have to remember to keep his space at home cleaner than normal now that he was with his favorite Slytherin, the man was as particular about keeping things in their proper place as the female members of his family. A happy Alexei was a more likely to have sex with him repeatedly.

Not that Alexei was big on happiness or showing it, though he could see it in the man's eyes sometimes. Loved causing it.

"So Dolohov put those marks on you?"

Turning his head Hugo smiled at the sight of his cousin James's best friend, a Ravenclaw who also worked in the building and was eating one of the pastries he'd brought. "Good morning, Seth."

"Morning. And you didn't answer my question, Sweetie."

Lips curving Hugo nodded. "Jealous?"

"Ha. I've got my own sexy man to nibble on me, thank you very much. And Lysander's a lot less likely to kill me in my sleep."

"Ly's empathic. He's less likely to kill someone than me."

He couldn't argue that, his man was also a sweetie. But he hadn't come over to talk about his own man, he was far more interesting in Hugo's. "You know your whole family will be gunning for him once they recover from the shock of who you're sleeping with. Hell, I'd be questioning your sanity too if he wasn't so damn sexy and hot. Evil and meaner than five wet cats stuck in a sack, but damn yummy in a Tom Hiddleston as Loki sort of way."

"I know, right?"

Laughing, Seth shook his head. He couldn't argue with that. "Of course your version is a lot shorter."

"Better not let him hear you say that."

Since he didn't have a death wish Seth assured him that he wouldn't be making that mistake. Everyone knew not to make comments about Dolohov's height around the Slytherin. Unless you wanted to pick a fight with the man, Seth silently amended, because that was guaranteed to work every time and introduce you to a world of pain in a very short period of time too.

Seeing that Seth's sense of humor was battling with the older man's worries where he was concerned, Hugo gave the Ravenclaw what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "You don't have to worry you know, none of you do. I know what I'm doing."

"You have some sort of plan to keep him from doing you in?"

"Yup."

Curiosity in his eyes Seth asked what that plan was.

"Giving him as much sex as is humanly possible."

"That could work."

The two men grinned at each other in agreement, chatting for a bit more before they had to get to work for the day.

)

It was a couple hours after lunch time, Hugo hard at work and barely aware of what was going on around him, when a letter dropped suddenly on the piece of parchment he was working on. Grabbing it quickly, least the ink smear, Hugo frowned down at the letter, a chill going down his spine when he saw that the front informed him that it was from St. Mungos.

Opening it up Hugo frantically scanned the contents, having no idea why the hospital would be contacting him with the news that Alexei had just been brought in by his teammates after being hit by a curse. But why he'd been contacted wasn't important, the fact that Alexei needed him was all that mattered, Hugo told himself as he struggled to remain calm. The letter stated that his man hadn't received life threatening or permanently disabling injuries, but he'd believe that when he saw it for himself.

Gathering up his coat and satchel Hugo hurried out without bothering to put his stuff away, stopping only long enough to tell his boss where he was going. Since he was always vastly ahead of everyone else when it came to completing his assigned projects that wasn't a problem, he was months ahead actually, so his boss was fine with him leaving for the day and assured Hugo that if he needed to take a few days off to help this friend of his recover that would be fine too.

Thanking the wizard, who had no idea who Alexei Dolohov was, Hugo headed out as quickly as he'd come, using the Floo powder system to get to the hospital as fast as possible. Once there he headed for the correct floor and was directed to Alexei's healer, who had just left the seeker's room.

Introducing himself Hugo asked what had happened, the healer explaining that apparently a fan of the team Mr. Dolohov's own team was playing soon had snuck into the pitch and had struck as soon as he'd had a clear shot while the Slytherin's back was turned. The seeker had broken a number of bones when he hit the ground, but that had been easily dealt with by the team healer. Unfortunately the healer in question was so afraid of Mr. Doholov wrath that when he'd attempted to put a spell on the seeker to ease the man's pain-he'd messed up the pronunciation with some unfortunate side effects.

"Mr. Dolohov is lucid and isn't in any physical pain…but he is having some difficulty moving about and retaining his short term memory. He's also made it very clear that he doesn't want to be here-you were listed as his contact person in case of life threatening injuries, so we thought it best to have you come and collect him. He was very firm that his family was not to be contacted."

"I'm his-are you sure I'm his person in case of emergencies?"

The healer's lips curved ever so slightly, a knowing look in his eyes. "Yes, Mr. Weasley, I assure you I triple checked that fact before I contacted you. I was as surprised as you are that someone of Mr. Dolohov's lineage and…personality would assign you of all people that task."

Having no idea what to think Hugo decided to question Alexei about it later, turning his attention to finding out whatever he needed to know about his lover's condition, grateful that it was apparently just a matter of him supervising Alexei until the messed up spell wore off.

Once they'd sorted everything out and he'd signed Alexei out under his care, Hugo followed the healer's instructions and headed for the Slytherin's room, finding the man looking just fine and apparently trying to argue that fact with two of his coaches and his team captain.

"There you are. What the hell took you so long?" Alexei demanded to know as soon as he caught sight of Hugo coming towards him.

"Talking to your healer and signing you out and into my custody. I'm Hugo Weasley." He added, shaking his hands with the two coaches. The captain of the team he knew already from school.

"Didn't know what to think when I heard you were his contact person, Weasley." Ian Piper told his fellow Gryffindor with a smile, shaking Hugo's hand as well.

"Well who the hell else was I going to put down?" Alexei demanded to know before Hugo could comment. "A member of my FAMILY? Do you think I have a bloody death wish? I mean okay, my sister would probably vote to keep me alive, if for no other reason that she finds me entertaining at family gatherings, but she'd go along with whatever the healers said was best." Alexei pointed in Hugo's direction. "You, on the other hand, would investigate every possible treatment and alternative before signing my death warrant, as well as being tough enough to handle my family at the same time. You and your stupid cuteness powers."

Hugo forced himself not to smile. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"It wasn't meant as one."

"I know."

Looking between the two Ian was more than a little confused, but offered to help Hugo get the cranky Slytherin back to the man's flat anyway. Dolohov was an important member of their team after all, and he was fairly fond of Hugo who'd been very cute and adorable to have around for the two years they'd been in Gryffindor together.

Obviously hearing the affection in the older man's voice Alexei gave his captain a dark look. "You'll be the one needing a hospital bed if you all don't beat it."

Successfully holding back the urge to roll his eyes Hugo gave the other men sympathetic looks before moving in to stand at Alexei's side, holding out a hand to help him up. "Come on, let's get you back to my place, okay?"

"My place." Alexei corrected.

Having never been to the Slytherin's place before Hugo had no problem with that idea, he'd been hoping to eventually get an invitation there as it was. It made sense that Alexei would have to get injured and medicated before that happened, but he'd never been the sort to look a gift horse in the mouth. So yes, he assured Alexei, that was precisely what they would do.

Pleased to get his way as always, Alexei pushed back his covers and slid off the bed, making no complaint about the arm Hugo wrapped around his waist automatically. He liked the man touching him after all, so why would he complain? Plus it made it clear to Piper just who the Gryffindor belonged to, which was him of course.

"Let's go."

"Yes, Sir."

)

As soon as they arrived at his place Alexei demanded that he be allowed to take a shower, convinced that he could still smell the hospital on him. Knowing better than to argue Hugo let the Slytherin lead the way to the bathroom, helping Alexei undress once they got there and then starting to do the same, giving the man a warning look as he did so. "Don't get into the shower until I can get in with you."

Leaning back against the sink Alexei watched his Gryffindor undress, eyes moving hungrily over the lackey form as he enjoyed the view. "You're joining me?"

"Do you know how many accidents happen in bathrooms?"

"I don't care." Wrapping his arms around Hugo's waist Alexei leaned in to kiss along the man's neck while the Gryffindor lifted each leg in turn to remove his socks. "I'd rather hear you moaning and screaming my name while I fuck your oh so fuckable ass."

"That curse hit you hard, didn't it?"

"I'll show you what's hard." Was Alexei's resort, the man digging his hands into Hugo's ass as he rubbed their bodies together, moving in to seal their lips together in a kiss designed to make the other man forget all about his so called injuries.

Making a low sound of pleasure Hugo snogged him back, wrapping his arms around Alexei in turn to support them both. He tried to gentle the kiss a little but that didn't work, Alexei kissing the hell out of him before suddenly pulling away, looking at him in confusion.

"What the hell-what are we-this is my place. When did we come to my place? What time is it?" Alexei's eyes narrowed threateningly. "Why are we naked?"

Lips twitching in amusement Hugo explained what had happened earlier, Alexei scowling as he stated that he didn't remember any of that. "The healer said your brains got a little scrambled. You should be better in a day or so."

Trusting that the man wasn't screwing with his head, they'd known each other too long for Hugo not to know there would be serious consequences if he was, Alexei accepted that the Gryffindor was telling the truth and that that meant he needed to hunt down his team's healer and shove a snitch down the git's throat so he could watch him choke on it.

"Or you could thank him since you and I have the rest of today and tomorrow off." Hugo suggested, trying not to imagine how horrible it would be to have a snitch stuck in your throat.

"I thought you worked all week. Why aren't you at work now?"

Hugo shook his head and reminded the Slytherin that he was his contact person in case of emergency and therefore he'd naturally been contacted earlier.

Scowl deepening Alexei didn't like the fact that the Gryffindor knew he'd put the man's name down as his contact person. He wouldn't have if it weren't for the fact that they'd said he had to for contract reasons. Apparently you couldn't play professional Quidditch and not have someone who could legally make medical decisions for you if you were unable to do so. Hugo had been the only one he'd known a hundred percent he could trust with his life.

"So do you still want a shower?"

Glancing in the direction of his shower before turning his eyes back to meet Hugo's, now very much aware of the naked body pressed up against his own, Alexei didn't have to think about that one for long at all. "Get your ass in there."

Following Hugo into the shower Alexei closed the glass door behind them, allowing the other man to choose the temperature while he enjoyed watching the naked body in front of him, particularly when water started to slip and slide over it.

Once the water felt right to him Hugo turned around to face Alexei, crocking a finger to get him closer.

Raising one eyebrow Alexei clearly transmitted the thought that he had no intention of letting himself be summoned that way. He'd come when he damn well wanted to, thank you very much.

Hopelessly amused by the other man Hugo walked over to the Slytherin instead, wrapping his arms around the man's waist again as he reminded Alexei that the whole reason he'd gotten naked and entered the shower with him in the first place was so that he could be there if he lost consciousness.

"And naturally that's the only reason you took your clothes off." Sarcasm dripped off the statement, Alexei not believing that for a minute. But since Hugo was right there in front of him he didn't see anything wrong with leaning some of his weight on the other man, his legs maybe not quite as strong or steady as he would have liked. Not that he wasn't up to showering by himself of course, but since Hugo was there anyway…

"You're one of those people who believes a massage is all about sex too, aren't you?"

"Are you offering to give me a massage?"

Keeping his arms around Alexei for support Hugo moved them backwards so that they were under the spray, letting the hot water warm them up a little more before he dropped one hand away to grab the bottle of shampoo he'd noticed earlier. Pouring some into his hand he set it aside and then began to work the creamy liquid into Alexei's hair while his other arm kept the man steady and pressed up close against him. It had rained early that morning and the pitch must have been muddy when Alexei had crash landed. They'd cleaned the rest of the man's body up pretty well, Hugo informed his lover, but whoever had done his hair hadn't done a good enough job.

Sliding both hands up Hugo's chest Alexei linked his fingers behind the man's neck, closing his eyes in pleasure as he leaned in to rest his head against his lover's shoulder. Which sort of defeated the purpose of what Hugo was doing, but Alexei wasn't thinking about that as he settled there with a content sound of pleasure, rubbing his cheek against the warm, freckled skin that smelled of the man's soap and personal scent.

Smiling Hugo didn't comment either, just continuing to do what he was doing as he waited for Alexei to remember the point of what he was doing. Or have another memory slip that would have the Slytherin demanding to know how they'd gotten into the shower in the first place.

Whichever came first, he was flexible.