Dreamland
February 20, 1985
Vienna.
As nightfall descended, Áurea parked the van, and Walter swiftly donned his coat and hat before leaping out, rubbing his hands together to ward off the chill. He joined Áurea in setting up the tables in the main room of the venue, generously provided by the town hall for the evening. They unloaded boxes of food from the van, placing them meticulously on the long tables. Alongside other volunteers, they dedicated an hour to serving warm meals to homeless individuals and anyone who sought their assistance.
"Enjoy your meal, please be careful, it's hot," Walter kindly cautioned as he handed a plate to an old man.
The evening progressed smoothly until a group of men abruptly burst into the room. Bewildered, they observed as a dozen individuals arranged their own tables and set up large cooking pots upon them. One among them moved toward the center, motioning for a friend to activate the camera resting upon his shoulder. Simultaneously, the others initiated a hymn that Walter recognized the instant the first words were uttered. He promptly turned away from the group, his back facing them.
"Let's go, let's go, let's go! Is it up and running? Perfect!" he exclaimed, turning his attention to the other individuals in the room. He then addressed them, saying, "Come, come, don't be afraid! We are here because some of you are on the streets and hungry, and so, here we stand... We've brought you a nourishing and delectable meal! That's all there is to it! All the rest, all the accusations and slander that have been thrown our way, hold no truth. I fail to see why a patriotic group like ours should submit to the laws of other religions or cultures when it appears to me..."
"It's a disgrace! Go away Áurea shouted vehemently at them.
The man stopped speaking and pivoted towards her. "Who said that? What's deemed a disgrace? Providing food to those in need? Do you even comprehend the significance of this soup? It's what our grandparents subsisted on for seven years on the frontlines! In the trenches, amidst bombings, enduring the bone-chilling cold of Stalingrad! It's a part of our country's history, our..." His words trailed off as he noticed Walter, who turned towards him, locking eyes with him. The man then shifted his gaze from Walter to Áurea before redirecting his attention to the cameraman.
"Cut the camera!" he commanded. He strode purposefully towards Walter, coming to a halt directly in front of him, and in a lowered voice, queried, "What are you doing here?"
"Same as you... serving soup," Walter replied, whispering to Áurea, "I'll be right back..."
Walter sighed and distanced himself from the other volunteers to a corner of the room. He positioned himself to face the other man, who had been joined by his companions, obstructing Áurea's path as she adamantly refused to leave Walter alone.
"What on earth do you think you're doing here, Horst?" Walter demanded.
"In Vienna? Let me remind you that not too long ago, Germany and Austria were part of the same country... Besides, we both admire an Austrian man who gained immense fame in Germany, so why not the other way around?" Horst retorted with a sneer before regaining his seriousness. "How do you even look at yourself in the mirror?" Horst asked incredulously, adding, "I heard rumors that you had stooped low, but I never imagined you could sink this low... You're fucking that? A half-breed... You?"
"Listen... It would be in your best interest, along with your mates, to gather your belongings and leave," Walter advised him, his fists clenched within his jacket pockets.
"Did I hear you correctly? Is this an order or a threat?" Horst sneered, questioning.
"I'm not giving you any orders or making threats. I simply suggest you find another place to carry out your business. The people who come here are just poor, exhausted, and hungry," Walter responded.
"How could you do this to us... How could you betray your own race like this? You should be executed... But a firing squad would be wasting a bullet on you," he spat, jabbing his finger into Walter's chest. "I don't know what's stopping me from beating the hell out of you right now."
"Go ahead, but leave... I ask you as an old friend," Walter replied calmly.
Horst stared at him for a few moments before uttering, "As a friend..." and then headbutted him, forcefully knocking him to the ground, while his goons joined in by delivering kicks to Walter's fallen form.
"Stop it! They're people!" the man scolded them, snapping his fingers. He instructed the others, "Pack up; we're leaving," as Áurea hurried over to Walter, who had managed to rise to his feet.
"WALTER! Are you alright?" Áurea asked, gently wiping away the blood streaming from his nose with a tissue.
"Of course, I'm fine... How could he harm me when his head is filled with nothing but air?" Walter declared, glaring at the group hastily making their exit.
"We can go back home right now if you want," Áurea offered, wrapping her arm around his shoulder.
"No... we're staying!" Walter firmly stated.
March 20, 1985:
As the warm water cascaded from the shower's faucet, Emma's body responded instinctively. Her back arched, surrendering to the sensations aroused by Sirius's skillful tongue teasing her earlobe before his lips wandered down to her neck. Simultaneously, her hands slipped from his waist, and eagerly squeezed his buttocks. Sensing her desire, Sirius's hands ventured upwards, cradling her breasts tenderly. Their eyes locked, a mischievous grin spreading across Emma's face as she slowly pleasured him with her hand. Moments later, she gracefully descended to her knees before Sirius, causing him to emit a deep, primal groan.
Sirius emitted a low, guttural growl as Emma's tongue ventured along the length of his shaft, tracing a tantalizing path down to caress his testicles. With one hand firmly braced against the wall for support, his other hand tightly gripped her hair as she eagerly took him into her mouth. Emma maintained eye contact, her suctioning motions skillfully coaxing waves of pleasure from him until she sensed his body tensing in anticipation. Rising to her feet, she kissed his stomach before continuing upward until her lips reached his mouth, where she whispered seductively into his ear, "I want you to fuck me, now." Without hesitation, she turned around, positioning herself against the wall, eagerly awaiting his next move.
Sirius pressed her against the shower's wall, the warm water falling on them and went deep inside of her. Emma moaned as Sirius gripped her boobs. "More…Harder!", She commended.
Sirius obeyed and kept thrusting inside her with increasing urgency, and Emma let out a whimper of ecstasy as their bodies joined together. He felt like the most perfect human being in the entire universe at that moment and had never been more excited.
"Yes... Yes… Siri!" She cried out as they climaxed, nearly falling but they stayed still, breathing slowly, then finally their cries of ecstasy harmonized, the intensity threatening to overwhelm them. Yet, they maintained their balance, breathing in synchrony, basking in the euphoria that enveloped them. Slowly, Sirius withdrew from Emma, their bodies still pulsating with the lingering sensations. Emma turned to face him, her arms encircling his neck as they shared a passionate kiss. Sirius eagerly squeezed her soft ass, cherishing their intimate connection.
"I love you," Sirius whispered tenderly.
Emma nuzzled her face against his chest, her voice gentle and filled with affection. "I love you too," she replied, finding solace and contentment in the shelter of his embrace.
Later in the evening, the Pub was packed with people eager to watch the football game. The workload became overwhelming, prompting Hans and Áurea to lend a hand to Sirius and Walter, who tirelessly attended to the counter and tables.
As the game's start time approached, Sirius momentarily paused his work and joined the rest of the patrons in gazing at the television. The Pub fell into a sudden silence as a minute of silence was announced to honor a young child whose photo appeared on the screen. Whispers circulated about the child's disappearance weeks ago, adding to the somber mood in the Pub.
The silence lingered for more than a minute, as the patrons reflected on the circumstances surrounding the boy's tragic fate. The weight of the moment enveloped the Pub, creating a profound sense of contemplation and sorrow.
"Oh God... How could anyone do that?" Áurea asked, her voice quivering, as she delicately brushed away a tear from the corner of her eye.
Sirius leaned closer, his voice barely audible as he whispered, "What happened to him? I'm not up to date..."
Emma leaned in, her voice soft and sorrowful, as she whispered into his ear, "They discovered his body dismembered and discarded in a waste bin near Stuttgart." She then handed him an order to serve, her eyes reflecting the weight of the tragic news.
As the evening wore on, the Pub remained open, and Sirius breathed a sigh of relief after finally lowering the curtains. With his tasks complete, he made his way over to a table where Emma and Hans were seated, engrossed in a late-night program while enjoying their drinks.
"I love football!" Emma exclaimed, a smile brightening her face.
"Name one team!" Walter challenged her from the pool table where he competed against Áurea.
"Hmm... The team that made the customers so happy that I had to empty the cash register twice. What's it called? The Make Emma Rich FC?" Emma responded.
"I wish we could go watch a Quidditch game together someday!" Sirius interjected.
"Quidditch? What's that?" Hans inquired with genuine curiosity.
"You know, Quidditch!" Sirius replied.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Walter admitted.
"Merlin! I can't believe I've never told you about it!" Sirius exclaimed.
"Well, tell us now!" Walter eagerly urged, almost rising from the pool table until Áurea halted him with a snap of her fingers.
"Come back here and lose with dignity," Áurea admonished Walter lightheartedly.
"Alright! Quidditch is a sport played by wizards and witches in my world. It's as passionately followed as you guys are with football. The game is played on broomsticks..." Sirius began explaining.
"You mean they fly?" Emma interjected.
"Yes! There are seven players on each team. One goalkeeper defends three rings, three chasers aim to score by tossing a ball through the rings, and each successful goal earns ten points. Then there are two beaters who protect their teammates or hurl a metallic ball at their opponents..." Sirius continued.
"With their wands?" Hans asked, his interest piqued.
"No, with bats, like in baseball, if you will," Sirius clarified. "And let's not forget about the most important player, the seeker! A Quidditch game can only end when the seeker catches the snitch. Snatching the snitch awards the team one hundred and fifty points."
"So, if you catch it, you automatically win the game?" Áurea sought clarification.
"Indeed, if the game is tied or the score is close. However, in a championship, the points earned in previous matches are taken into account. So, even if you catch the snitch, you might still finish second or third if the score difference is significant... Some seekers even catch the snitch when their team is losing, just to avoid further embarrassment," Sirius elaborated.
"So, this rule sounds like the ultimate plot twist in an American movie," Emma quipped.
"What's that?" Sirius inquired, puzzled, while the others burst into laughter.
"In every American high school movie... The protagonist's team is on the receiving end on their own field, and with only 10 seconds remaining, they find themselves trailing by a staggering 100 points to 0. However, just a second before the final buzzer, the movie's central character, who incidentally wasn't popular at the start of the film, manages to score a three-pointer or a touchdown, miraculously leading their team to victory!" Emma exclaimed.
"And not to mention, he also ends up dating the most popular cheerleader, who suddenly realizes that she would be better off with the nice guy rather than the wealthy high school biker portrayed by a thirty-five-year-old actor," added Hans, clinking his pint glass with Emma's.
"Well, sometimes the seeker can turn out to be the true hero!" Sirius chimed in.
"Is there an actual league for this?" Hans inquired.
"Yes, most countries have their own division championships and local cups. Additionally, each confederation holds its own tournaments for clubs and nations, but the most prestigious competition of all is the World Cup!" Sirius explained.
"Like our World Cup?" Walter asked.
"Yes, exactly! It takes place every four years in a different country simultaneously. You know what? Once I'm cleared, I promise to take all of you to watch a World Cup game someday!" Sirius declared.
"That works for me!" Hans agreed.
"But wouldn't it be an issue for us being muggles?" Áurea questioned.
"Well...we can always come up with a cover story!" Sirius replied.
"Have you ever played?" Emma inquired.
"I dabbled a little with James when I was certain no one was watching. I won't lie; I'm skilled on a broom, but handling both the ball and the broom simultaneously is too tricky for me. Once, I came close to falling from a great height while attempting to catch a pass, and James had impeccable accuracy, just to give you an idea," Sirius admitted, as Walter and Áurea finished their game and joined the group around the table.
Following that, Sirius spent the next hour regaling them with tales of Hogwarts and the adventures of the Marauders. He could have continued talking all night, but after glancing at her watch, Emma decided it was time to call it a day.
April 1st, 1985:
Walter fetched his utmost effort to keep pace with Sirius and Hans as they ascended the hill. As they reached the top, Hans extended his hand, which Walter eagerly grasped, assisting him in his climb. The trio proceeded silently, marching in single file along the elevated trail of the Lavanttaler, carrying their backpacks for several miles. Eventually, they traversed a narrow river nourished by a cascading waterfall, ascending once more until Hans signaled them to halt. With a jubilant expression, he announced their arrival at the designated campsite for the night.
Walter joined Sirius and Hans, standing alongside them, captivated by the awe-inspiring landscape. They relished the pristine air of the hill, reveling in the expansive vistas and meadows brimming with the delightful scent of flowers. The invigorating chill of the crisp breeze enlivened Walter's spirit and invigorated his weary limbs.
They gazed silently towards the horizon until Hans gestured towards it and remarked, "I know it's more than 60 miles, but if you focus and look closely... you can see Áurea's breasts from here."
"Are you serious? You haven't said a single word in three hours, and that's the first thing you say?" Sirius asked him.
"Is it wrong to take pride in my girlfriend and want the whole world to know?" Hans asked them, before dropping his backpack on the grass and settling on a large rock.
"Proud or horny?" Sirius asked, taking a seat next to him.
"You're twisted," Walter said, sitting on the grass and taking a sip from his bottle.
"Just deeply in love..." Hans said, rolling a joint.
"Speaking of love...do you mind if I ask you both a question? About Áurea and my sister?" Walter inquired. "I mean, Sirius...you're with Emma, and Hans is with Áurea...but at the same time, you guys hang out together, right?"
"Oh...so we've gone from faggs to 'hang out together'?" Hans chuckled.
"Nevermind..." Walter responded.
"Walter, Áurea told us about the other day; we're proud of how much you've grown in such a short time," Sirius said.
"However, I can't change the past or the harm I caused," Walter said, averting his gaze.
"Unfortunately, nobody can, and I won't tell you to forget who you were...in fact, keep that image in your mind along with the disgust you feel towards it, and never let hatred consume you again," Sirius advised.
"Sirius is right...but don't let your past ruin your future. You deserve happiness too," Hans added.
"I'll never be happy... I'm not really a believer, but I feel like I've mutilated my soul, and I won't find happiness until I make amends. Do something for others..." Walter confessed.
"Do you have any ideas in mind?" Sirius asked.
"No..." Walter replied.
"We'll help you find your way, Walter. You won't be alone!" Hans reassured him, passing him the joint.
"Thanks... so, about the foursome thing..." Walter continued.
"Are we still talking about that?" Hans chuckled.
"Wait! Is this an 'if your hurt my sister', talk?", Sirius joked, feigning fear. "Alright, to answer your question, I'm not gay," Sirius stated.
"Neither am I... I'm bicurious," Hans replied, sharing a knowing look with Sirius.
"Um... I saw you two kiss," Walter interjected.
"Let me clarify... I'm not straight either, nor am I bisexual," Sirius explained.
"I don't understand," Walter admitted.
"Here's the thing... the four of us love each other because we feel a deep connection," Sirius elaborated.
"Let me simplify what Sirius is saying... If you put him in a room with a guy who looks exactly like me or a girl like Áurea or Emma, nothing would happen because they wouldn't be us," Hans clarified. "And we all feel the same way."
"Even if Emma looked completely different, I would still choose her. It's the kind of feeling you experience but can't quite put into words," Sirius added.
"I still don't grasp it," Walter responded, taking a drag from his cigarette.
"Look, mate, we're not experts on explaining these things like girls might be," Hans chuckled.
"Alright... so, it's not about sex?" Walter inquired.
"Nope!" Hans confirmed.
"Alright, guys! Let's grab some lunch... I'm starving!" Sirius exclaimed.
At night, they settled down, forming a circle around the crackling fire in their sleeping bags, gazing up at the vast expanse of stars, awaiting the arrival of sleep.
"Do you guys believe in aliens?" Hans inquired.
"What do you mean by 'aliens'?" Sirius asked.
"Life beyond our planet... I don't think that's possible, except in movies," Walter stated.
"Really? Before I met Sirius, I only saw magic and people transforming into animals in movies and fairy tales. Has meeting Sirius did not influence your beliefs or at least sparked your imagination?" Hans challenged him.
"Fair point... I was too quick to answer. Yeah, maybe you're right. And how about you, Sirius?" Walter turned to him.
"Even for wizards, the notion of life beyond our world's boundaries seems far-fetched to many... But honestly, I don't really care. My entire world is right here," Sirius replied.
"I enjoy looking at the stars and pondering whether there's another person out there, asking the same questions on a different planet, and wondering about their life... Maybe at this very moment, somewhere, there are three individuals gazing at the stars and contemplating our existence," Hans mused.
"For reasons I ignore, my family has always had an obsession with the stars... Everyone in my household has been named after a star or a constellation. Even my father, who was far from being a scholar, used to spend an absurd amount of time documenting comets and shooting stars," Sirius shared, yawning as he felt his eyes growing heavy while he gazed at the star he was named after. In a whisper, he added, "I always wondered why"