Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Written for auction prompt - "Do you know the Petrificus Totalus spell? Because you make me stiff."

Word Count - 492

Playing Catch Up

Harry rolled his eyes. George was in his element, flirting and smiling and eye-twinkling at the patrons of the nightclub Harry owned.

He wouldn't mind so much if George was genuinely having a good time, but Harry knew better. Harry was the one who had stayed by George's side for months following the final battle, had helped him pick himself back up into some semblance of life.

It hurt him that this was who George was pretending to be because he thought it was what his friends and family needed him to be.

"Do you know the Petrificus Totalus spell? Because you make me stiff."

Theo choked on a laugh beside Harry. "I think it's time to cut him off, mate. With pick up lines like that, he's going to get himself arrested for harassment."

Harry nodded. When George turned to look at him with liquid dripping from his face, a large smile on his face, Harry waved him to the end of the bar.

"Time to check yourself mate, you're getting a bit… well. Shit at pick up lines to be honest."

George smirked, drying himself off with his wand. "She wants me."

"The drink in your face says different, mate. Why don't you do home and sober up, huh?"

"Harry -"

"Please. Don't make me throw you out."

With a deep sigh, George nodded. "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"I'll even fetch you coffee."

…

"Sorry about last night."

Harry shook his head. "No you're not."

Chuckling, George shrugged. "It seemed the thing to say."

Handing over the promised coffee, Harry sat down on the comfortable sofa in the back of the shop. "You don't need to -"

"Please don't say it."

"George -"

"Please, Harry. I just… I can't."

Harry shrugged. "Alright. I gotta go, I've got to supervise a shipment of spirits. Should be pretty quiet tonight, so I can get off for dinner if you fancy?"

George nodded, offering him a small smile.

Standing up, Harry crossed the room and kissed George's cheek. "Please remember that you don't need to put an act on, at least not with me. I've seen you at your worst, and I'm still here."

…

George picked Harry up from the nightclub, dressed surprisingly neatly considering the places they generally chose to frequent for dinner.

"I feel underdressed," Harry complained as the two of them walked through Muggle London. "What's with the get up, and where are we going?"

"Harry, I um. Well. I."

Harry snorted. "Clearly what you can't do is English."

"Jerk."

"Asshole."

"Twat."

"Twit."

"Are we playing insults or word association?" George asked, shaking his head. "Because if it's insults, you just failed miserably."

"What's going on, George?"

"Date. Not just dinner. Date."

Harry blinked. "Mate. We've been dating for months. How did you not know that?"

"... did I miss a conversation?"

Harry laughed, linking their arms together. "Nah, I was just waiting for you to catch up."