The day started like any other. Gavin rolled over in an exhausted heap and all but glared at the window, grimacing at the sound of rain pelting the glass. It was bucketing down. He didn't envy Sixty and Connor having to go out in it. Connor had to see to the animals as usual and Sixty had regular quidditch practice on Sundays. Hell, it wouldn't surprise me if quidditch practice was cancelled! There wasn't exactly a theory option when it came to flying, and they couldn't do it inside. Now he was awake, the cold was setting in. Even huddled in the heavy sheets, it was still freezing. The fire had burned itself out overnight, as usual. Gavin shivered, reaching blindly for the wand he kept beside his pillows.
"Incendio!" With a wave, the small flame lit the fire. It seemed the elves had worked their magic as he slept. There was fresh wood on the hearth. It was a little unsettling how they could come and go, even with his seasoned and frazzled nerves. By the darkness of the sky, he could tell it wasn't time for him to get up yet. He guessed it was around half past four. There wasn't even a hint of dawn yet, which gave him plenty of time to roll around and find a more comfortable position. Since he was awake, he knew he wouldn't sleep again, but he was going to make the most of a lazy morning.
He nestled his face back into the pillow with a sigh, lying on his front and hooking an arm above his head. Running around the forest the day before had worn him out, and it ended up being quite a late night. He was surprised at how nice it had been. It was rare that he spent time with the twins, though he'd only been there around a month. He wasn't used to seeing the same people day in and day out. He hadn't done it since his school days. For a decade now, he'd been constantly moving, constantly working. People came and went. It was rare to work multiple cases with the same people, especially travelling as he had.
His job had taken him to more countries than he could count, working with wizards of all races. He'd spent a lot of time in America, mostly Michigan area, but he'd met so many people he couldn't remember all their names and faces. Now he'd stopped moving, he had to admit it was actually sort of nice. The thought that he was carving out a place for himself here was almost unsettling. He was in the same place as his brother for the first time in years. He had regular contact with Chloe and Tina, who he hadn't seen since his school days. Nines had become a close, new friend, the first he'd made in years. It wasn't what he'd expected. He'd never imagined that he'd come to trust someone so completely. He wasn't sure how Nines drew him in. Was it his sightless silvery eyes? His peaceful, calming nature? The sweetness of his smile? He was so easy to talk to, and always interested in what he had to say. His hands were always so gentle when he handled his animagus form or touched his face.
Gavin couldn't help the way he smiled as he thought of all the dreams he'd had. He pressed his face further into the pillows, biting his lip at the memory of those large hands caressing his naked skin. He was still sleepy as he squirmed against the mattress, letting out a small sigh as his cock twitched to life. Phck…He shouldn't be doing this. It wasn't proper to have such thoughts about a colleague. He couldn't help what he thought when he was sleeping, but it was wrong to do it in his waking hours. Perhaps that's what made it so alluring. Unable to breathe, he turned his head, cheeks flushed as he gripped the pillow and hunkered lower on the bed.
He couldn't help himself as he stroked a hand down his clothed torso, whining softly as he reached his slowly hardening cock. It felt heavenly as his palm rubbed back and forth, fingers caressing the hard muscle as he nudged his hips forward. If he closed his eyes, he could almost feel Nines leaning over his back, the warmth of his breath tickling his ear. He moaned, gripping himself tighter as he recalled how good it felt when Nines pressed him down and rocked against his ass. His breath stuttered a little as he thought about Nines spreading him wide, cock gliding between his cheeks to rub and prod his tight ring.
"Phck…" It was barely a breath that passed his lips as he stroked higher and tugged the waist of his pyjamas loose. He raised his hips as his cock sprang free, the sensitive tip dragging along the mattress to leave a pale smear. Gavin moaned as his glans brushed the cotton, quickly replacing the slightly rougher material with his palm. His brow furrowed as he circled his palm over the tip, gathering the beading drops to slick his hand. Breathing deeply, he moved to grip his cock and pump. Moving back and forth, he gripped the soft outer skin and caressed the solid muscle beneath, jerking his wrist and hips. Gasps and sighs fled his lips, along with the occasional moan. His core started to twitch and tighten, pleasure swirling in the pit of his stomach.
Squirming and rubbing against the mattress would only do so much. The weight of his hips almost pinned his wrist, making the jerks small and frustratingly unsatisfying. He trembled a little as he slipped his knees higher, lifting his hips from the bed. A low moan escaped as he rocked forward, tightening his grip and fucking his hand. It was divine. He'd almost forgotten what it felt like to build himself up like this. He'd been clinically insane for a year, and in recovery after that. There's no way he was going to whack one out at the hospital with clinical eyes always watching. He hadn't really thought about it since then. He'd had dreams, of course, and the occasional thought had crossed his mind, especially around that time in the bath. Oh-phck-phck-Nines!
Getting his hips higher really gave him the space he needed to slam home. He raised his upper body a little, leaning on his forearm as he snapped his hips and almost bounced himself against the mattress. His lips parted, pants and moans escaping as he rocked and gripped even tighter. He couldn't think of anything besides Nines' hands caressing his skin, and his cock ploughing his ass. A whine escaped as he added a twist of his wrist to the pumps. The closer he got to release, the more he could feel Nines above him. If he opened his eyes, he swore he'd be able to look over his shoulder and see him there. It was a foolish, impossible thought, but he couldn't help thinking about it.
"Phck-phck-Nines!" The helpless whines were barely muffled as he pressed his face deeper into the pillows and spilled, jerking his wrist a mile a minute to milk himself dry. His whole body trembled as he came down, unused to such stimulation. He pushed himself up to sit on his knees, dazed and somewhat self-conscious as he looked down at the sticky smears he'd left on the sheets. "Phck!" He tried not to think about the fact the elves were going to see it. They worked in a school full of teenagers. He was sure they'd seen worse, and the laundry was likely all tossed in the same basket, so they probably wouldn't even know who'd done it. That's what he told himself as he stumbled from the bed and peeled off the stained bottom sheet.
He stripped the whole bed, hoping to disguise it as a simple bedding change as he bundled it all together and tossed it in the laundry basket, where it disappeared with a snap. Since his bed was now stripped, he headed through to his small ensuite to shower and dress for the day. There were a lot of outfits he could choose from, and it was Sunday, so he didn't have to be too formal. With that in mind, he slipped into a faded set of worn trousers and a simple cotton shirt. He had no real plan for the day. Maybe he'd go back to Hogsmeade and haunt The Three Broomsticks. He could resort to floo powder to get there if the rain didn't let up, or he could stay in school. It was an enormous building. He could probably find something to occupy himself with. Perhaps he could even transform and patter his way out to the greenhouse. He'd get soaked on the way, but it might be worth it if Nines was out there. He usually was.
Shaking off his fatigue, Gavin brushed his teeth, trimmed his stubble, and tidied his hair, taking a few seconds to check himself in the mirror. He was still flushed a healthy shade of pink from the small workout, and his lips were dark and bitten along the inner edges. His green eyes were soft and almost hazy, surrounded by red rims that gave away his lack of restful sleep. The thought made him yawn as he finally turned away and headed back to his room. He wasn't sure how to feel as he noticed his bed was freshly made with new sheets. His skin felt like it was burning as he thought about the connotations of that. They knew! They fucking knew! He swallowed down the embarrassment as he glanced at the nightstand to find a small package. The phck?
Had the elves left it? Was it a delivery? It didn't seem to have an address on it. Looking outside, he doubted it had been delivered that morning. It was far too wet and windy to send the post owls out. The fact it had appeared after his bed had been made suggested the elves had left it, but why? Where did it come from? There was no tag. It was just a small box, barely bigger than a Snitch, wrapped in dark green paper with an even darker ribbon. He couldn't help wondering not only where it had come from, but why? What was the occasion? Am I forgetting something?
The thought bothered him all the way to breakfast, where he sat toying with the small box over an empty plate. It was early, so he wasn't expecting anyone to join him. There were a few older students up and about, mostly fifth, sixth, and seventh years, getting a head start on homework and studying for the coming week. Some gathered in pairs or small groups, talking quietly over breakfast, while others were sitting alone with a book or parchment. The morning papers hadn't arrived yet by the looks of it, likely delayed by the weather. He assumed the weather was the reason no quidditch players had arrived yet, either. The weekend was a popular time to get in extra practice before the next match, but with the pelting rain, it was too dangerous to fly, especially with bludgers flying about.
"Aww! Someone beat me to it!" Gavin's head snapped to the side at Tina's disappointed exclamation. He had no idea when she'd arrived or where she'd come from, so intent he'd been on the mystery package. He hummed curiously as she swooped in and kissed his cheek as she sat down. That was rare. He frowned at her, unsure what he'd done to deserve such treatment. She was giving him a look that suggested he was supposed to say something, but he was at a loss.
"…Beat you to what?" She sighed, slapping a hand over her face as if he were a complete buffoon.
"Seriously? Did you forget what day it is?" Gavin paused as he thought it over. It's Sunday…That didn't make the day special. He had no regular activities set up for that day, though he did go to the quidditch field to help Nines supervise on occasion. "You…do know the date, right?" His eyes widened as he scrambled to find the right number in his head. He knew it was October. He remembered officially passing the one month mark a few days ago. Oh phck…It was the 7th. Tina grinned as she watched it dawn on him, though he wasn't as pleased as she'd like. "That's right! Happy birthday asshole! I got you a present." He didn't even notice a second set of steps approaching as he hushed her.
"Don't make such a big deal about it! It's just a birthday, jeez!" He hadn't celebrated his birthday since school. The last celebration he had was at Tina's house the year after his graduation. Not long after, he'd started training with the Ministry of Magic and become an auror. He'd found little to celebrate after that. His birthday became just another day on the calendar. He didn't share it with his colleagues. Why would he when they'd only work a case or two together before moving on or dying in the field?
"I didn't know it was your birthday." He almost jumped out of his skin as Nines took his seat. Turning his head, he almost regretted looking as he found those soft, silvery eyes upon him. He seemed even more handsome than usual, but nothing really seemed any different. His glossy hair was styled the same, his skin was just as freckled, and he was wearing a fresh white shirt and black trousers as usual. He prayed his skin didn't give him away as he thought perhaps it may be down to his earlier activities. He could still hear that sultry purr rumbling in his ear. "Happy birthday." That didn't help.
"Thanks, but it's no big deal, really! I don't even celebrate." He crossed his legs as his cock twitched, very much invested in the deep thrum of Nines' vocal cords. He prayed no one would notice. Nines couldn't see, but Tina could, and she knew him. He pushed down the flutter of nerves, placing the small package on the table before reaching for the toast. There was a bowl of fluffy looking scrambled eggs that looked pretty good, too.
"You used to," Tina grumbled as she joined him in buttering toast.
"No, you used to. I never asked you to make a fuss," he added with a smirk as he shoved her arm. Tina grinned back, watching as Gavin spooned the fluffy yellow eggs over his toast. She knew he never would have asked, but she also knew he'd appreciated it. His parents used to throw grand parties for their birthdays, but he'd never really felt like they cared. It was more about seeing their friends and showing off their wealth than their birthdays. Gavin joined her in the happy memories of being in her home or at school.
Being so early in the school year, his birthday had always fallen during term time. Since his second year, Tina had always arrived at breakfast with an armful of gifts from home. He assumed Tina told her family when his birthday was and it got added to the family calendar, because there were always cards and muggle gifts. Sometimes there were novels, games or sweets, but more often were clothes. Warm sweaters, new shirts, and socks. They were never as fine as those gifts he got from home, of course, but they were always warmly accepted and appreciated. He'd worn the clothes Tina's mother got him far more than the finery sent by his parents.
Those in his house had made snide comments, of course. It was pretty much bred into them to be rude and look down on anyone outside their sphere, especially those of mixed blood. Tina could take care of herself, both with and without a wand, so the snide comments had soon faded to snarky whispers. They'd silence altogether once Gavin put his foot down, though he didn't spend much time with those in his own house, anyway. He spent most of his time at the Gryffindor table, in the library, or in Tina's common room. The time spent in his own common room was often late at night with Elijah as they studied. By the time his fourth year arrived, gossip was no longer an issue or concern. He was too old to be picked on by the younger students, and the older lot were too busy with exams to care. It was a Goldilocks zone of sorts.
"Don't pretend you didn't like it." Gavin huffed fondly, unable to deny it. It hadn't been too much, just gifts from home and a small cake, but it always warmed him from the inside. He had no idea where she got the cake, or how she made it. Maybe she'd asked the elves to let her use the kitchen, or maybe her mother had sent it, but that little cupcake always made his day. It was usually just a simple sponge with thick, green icing and a single candle. Sometimes she and her friends would insist on singing Happy Birthday, one of the few things common to wizards and muggles alike. His cheeks would always burn if they did it in public at the long breakfast table.
"No, I did appreciate it." Those were the best birthdays he'd had.
"Well, now you're back, you can start appreciating it all over again!" It didn't seem like he actively hated his birthday, more that he'd stopped seeing the value in it. Tina always thought it was worth celebrating a year of life and success, but although Gavin had plenty of success, it was always hard fought and came at a high price. Another year of survival started to feel more like a dull burden of guilt than something to be celebrated. He was often too busy to stop and think about what day it was anyway. Sometimes his birthday would go by unnoticed until the next time he saw a calendar and actually thought about it. "Here." It seemed he'd have no trouble remembering with Tina around.
"You didn't have to get me anything!" She knocked the other small box aside, putting her own slightly bulkier gift in front of him to be opened first. She also had a second gift in a small box, but she was more careful with that one.
"Seems I'm not the only one," she added as she nodded to the mystery package. Gavin hummed absently, still a little troubled over where it came from and who'd sent it. It could have been Elijah, but he was pretty sure he and Chloe would just walk up and hand him gifts if they remembered. He didn't expect them to. It hadn't even occurred to him that someone else might remember. Hell, I didn't even remember! "Who's it from?" Tina was curious as she plucked the small box from the table and passed it back and forth between her hands. Whatever it was, it was pretty light and clearly boxed. The paper was expensive, and the ribbon finely tied.
"Not a clue! I thought maybe it came in the mail…but with the weather, that seems unlikely. It showed up in my room after the elves cleaned this morning, so I'm pretty sure they delivered it…" He couldn't imagine anyone else slipping in unnoticed, especially with the elves there at about the same time. Even if the elves left it, it wouldn't be from them. They were simply the deliverers. Someone else in the school, then…Maybe it was Eli…He'd have to ask him later.
"Well, open mine first!" Gavin huffed at that. Tina was more eager than he was. The item was quite flat, barely an inch thick, and rectangular. The paper was simple, brown packaging common in the muggle world for deliveries, so he guessed she'd had it sent from outside. He couldn't deny Tina when she was looking at him so expectantly, so he tore off the paper with a satisfying rip and set it aside.
"Phck, I remember this!" He couldn't stop himself from smiling as he looked at the old family portrait. It was black and white, and everyone was still within the frame, of course. It was a muggle picture. Before they left for their final year of school, Tina's mother had insisted that she wanted to take a family portrait. Tina was in her last year, one of her brothers was due to finish school soon, and the other two were close behind. It seemed a good time to make a record. Gavin had been surprised as Mrs Chen ushered him into the picture as well.
Mrs Chen was sitting on a wooden chair in her Sunday best, with Mr Chen standing back and to the right with a hand on her shoulder, looking just as dapper. Tina was sitting beside her mother and the boys were standing in a row behind the chairs in order of age from oldest to youngest, which put Gavin right behind Mrs Chen's chair as the eldest son. It wasn't tradition to smile in portraits such as this, but they'd all allowed just the smallest raise of lips. They were all dressed smartly, staring at the camera with tired eyes. One had to stand or sit perfectly still, eyes open wide, until the photographer said you could move. It was incredibly frustrating, and often took multiple tries.
"It's a muggle portrait I took with Tina and her family way back in my seventh year…Isn't this your mother's though? Won't she miss it?" Tina shook her head, clearly pleased with Gavin's reaction to the gift. Nines' lips softened as he listened, though it was regretful he wouldn't be able to see it for himself. He was sure teenage Gavin would be as handsome as he'd imagined.
"There were a few copies. The big one is hanging in the living room back home." Gavin smiled at the choice of words. After all this time, home was still her parents' house. He had to admit, if he were to choose somewhere besides Hogwarts to feel like home, he would say the same. His parents' house was where he came from, but it had never been a home. His mother had never doted on him or cared for him as Tina's had, and his father had paid him little mind. He and his brother had been close as children, but noticeably drifted with age and distance. "Here, I got you this, too." He knew what it was before he even touched the delicate box.
"Thank you…" It was that same little cupcake wearing a swirly hat of thick green icing. He guessed it was because of the Slytherin colours she always made it green. Stuck in the icing was a small white candle, which she hurriedly lit. "Don't even think about it! Seriously!" he warned with a cringe as he covered her mouth with one hand. It was bad enough as a teen, but he didn't think he'd live it down if she started singing in front of the growing number of students.
"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you-" He was pretty sure his cheeks would match a tomato in colour as he heard Nines singing behind him. Seeing he was distracted, Tina pushed his hand away to join Nines in song, making him bury his face in one hand as curious heads turned their way. The students weren't the only ones to notice. Connor and Sixty had also arrived for breakfast, and Hank was walking up the steps as they finished the song, too.
"It's your birthday? Happy birthday!" Connor said politely, clearly amused at Gavin's embarrassment. He felt even more flustered as Sixty yelled a birthday greeting from the other end of the table.
"You really don't have to-" He stopped with a befuddled blink as Hank placed a sealed envelope on the table in front of him. "How did you…" Upon opening it, he found a simple birthday card with well wishes from the school and a small hand written ticket that said he was entitled to a butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks.
"Your employment file. The school knows everything!" Hank chuckled as he headed to his seat to start breakfast. Gavin hurriedly called his thanks and slipped the small token in his pocket. Guess that settles my plans for the day…It wasn't much, but he was touched. It was certainly more than he'd had on any other birthday for the past decade.
"Blow out your candle, dummy! You need to make a wish!" Gavin did as he was told, huffing softly as he watched the dancing ribbon of white smoke rise from the wick. The smell of candle smoke was one of his favourite things. He took a breath and sighed as he removed the small candle, setting it aside so he could eat his breakfast. "What did you wish for?" Tina asked as she ate her own food, eyeing him quietly.
"Isn't it bad luck or something to say what you wished for?" With that said, Tina let the matter drop, but in truth, he hadn't made a wish. He wasn't even sure what he'd wish for. There wasn't really anything he wanted. Well, maybe one thing. He couldn't help glancing across at Nines, who was oblivious to the improper thoughts running through his head as he ate his fruit and yoghurt. Gavin huffed at the thought, dismissing it with his usual reminder that Nines was his friend and colleague.
"Don't forget your other present." Gavin hummed at Tina's reminder as he set his plate aside. It was true. He'd forgotten about the mystery gift. Nines' interest also seemed to pique at the mention of the small box. The ribbon came free with the smallest of tugs, and the paper fell open. Within was a small back box. Jewellery? It certainly seemed that way. Popping the lid, he found a deep green velvet lining with an ornate silver ring housed within. His brow furrowed as he lifted it out, turning it this way and that to look at all the detailing.
"That's…" Tina didn't even know what to say as she leaned in for a closer look. Gavin hummed his agreement. That's really something…It was a snake. The inner edge was textured like the belly of a snake, while the outside was criss-crossed with tiny diamond scales. Its mouth was open wide, swallowing its own tail with long fangs coming down on either side. The eyes were tiny green emeralds that almost seemed to glare at the world around them. It was a fine piece, to be sure, but why give it to him? He'd been placed in Slytherin, but he wasn't exactly a snake person. You probably wouldn't think it to look at my wand…That was another curious thing. Ollivander's reminder came back to him, but even if that were true, no one else knew. Despite being a little confused about why, he still intended to try it on.
"Don't!" A tight grip on his wrist stayed his hand. He couldn't help the jolt in his chest, heart pounding as Nines kept hold of him and frowned suspiciously. Gavin said nothing as he plucked the ring from his grasp and rolled it between his fingers, feeling every scale. Tina was also surprised at his outburst, leaning around Gavin to watch.
"Is there something wrong with it? Is it cursed?" That was something Gavin hadn't even considered. There were likely plenty of people who wanted to do such a thing, but most of them were in Azkaban, and the rest didn't know where he was. All the media knew was that he'd been pardoned by the ministry and officially retired. Did someone come looking for me? He wasn't sure who'd go to the trouble. Whoever saved him before must have arrested most of the thugs that tortured him, though he didn't know who'd sent them.
"Not exactly…I don't know how to explain it…It isn't cursed, and it's not inherently evil, but there's a certain…wrongness. It has been touched by evil, and the wickedness lingers. You shouldn't wear it." Despite his better judgement, Nines handed it back. A heavy feeling swelled in Gavin's chest as he looked at the ring. It didn't escape his notice that Nines wiped his hand on his thigh as if he'd touched something foul. He didn't sense it himself, but he didn't doubt what Nines said. Nines seemed to be sensitive to such forces and attuned to the world on a deeper level than most.
"Alright…" Taking no chances, Gavin returned the ring to its box and snapped the lid shut. It was no real loss to him. He had no attachment to it, but he couldn't help wondering who would send him such a thing. Was the wickedness of the gift deliberate? Or did the sender have no idea? He wouldn't be able to guess unless he found out who sent it. He was still troubled as he ate the small cupcake, eyes straying to the box more than once.
With his plans to head to The Three Broomsticks solidified, he returned to his room to get his jacket. Unfortunately, it was still raining heavily, so floo powder was the way to go. As he entered his office, he set the portrait on his desk with a smile. Having the picture there would make things feel more homely when he was planning lessons and give him something to look at. Unsure what to do with the ring, and having no real attachment to it, he placed it on a bookcase he rarely used, tucked in a corner, out of sight.
Although he arrived by himself, he wasn't alone for long. Tina arrived almost immediately after, and then Nines appeared. He wasn't sure he was really surprised as Connor and Sixty joined them. Connor seemed to spend a lot of time with Tina these days, and Sixty had something going on with Allen. Gavin quietly handed over his token to be met with yet another birthday greeting and the insistence that the next drink was on the house. He murmured his thanks and the insistence it wasn't necessary, feeling exposed as Sixty clapped him on the back and loudly proclaimed it was his birthday and he'd drink for free all day. Something in his twinkling eyes made Gavin think that was more a threat than a promise.
His suspicion was soon proved correct. Things started off well enough with two butterbeers, which were non-alcoholic. He truly hadn't intended to switch to real beer, at least not until much later on. The problem was, Sixty had taken over the ordering. Gavin soon found he had five Dragon Breaths in the pipe and one in his hand. Despite knowing he had a lot in reserve, he didn't want to rush himself and end up drunk. That could be foolish and dangerous. He was glad to have Nines there to discourage his brother somewhat.
Connor was in no fit state to do so, having drunk three pints so far. He didn't handle alcohol well, and Dragon's Breath was on the strong side. Tina was at the happy, bubbly stage where she did a lot of giggling and didn't mind leaning on his or Connor's shoulder. Sixty may have been drunk. It was hard to say. He wasn't slurring or mincing his words, but that didn't mean he wouldn't fall over if he tried to stand up. Allen kept watch from the bar, often smiling and shaking his head at the small outbursts at their table. Nines was the constant calming presence in their group, diffusing arguments before they started and distracting them from drinking where he could.
Later in the day, Gavin assumed the rain had eased off. Students started appearing via the front door rather than the fireplace. They were a little damp, but nowhere near as wet and bedraggled as they would have been if the rain kept up. The rise in students made him a little self-conscious. It was the weekend, sure, but he was still a teacher. Luckily, Connor and Sixty seemed of the same mind. They all settled down with the rise in students and even ordered a hearty meal to fill their empty stomachs.
Being a Sunday, Allen had a full roast on offer. He seemed to cook everything himself, constantly flitting between the front and back. He had a staff member out front to help, so the flow of beer was plentiful and uninterrupted. They were soon settled with large plates heaped with cuts of freshly roasted hog, crisp potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower with lashings of thick gravy. It was more homely and rustic than the fine meals served at the castle, and the meat was so tender Gavin couldn't help humming in contentment. Each time the small sound escaped, Nines lips would twitch at the corners as if suppressing a smile. It was probably unprofessional to think of one's colleague as cute, but he really couldn't help it when Gavin was making such noises.
"Gavin…" Despite holding back in some areas, he had little resistance to the chance of physical contact. Gavin hummed questioningly as he looked up, stopping dead as Nines stroked a hand through his hair and dabbed his lips with a napkin. "Do chew your food. I'm sure the Anapneo charm would feel quite unpleasant." Gavin almost choked as he swallowed, looking up at Nines' vacant silvery eyes. He coughed as he looked down at his plate, skin still tingling at the memory of his touch.
"Yeah-sure-no, that would be…pretty dumb…" He squirmed in his seat, quietly hoping the others weren't watching too closely. He needn't have worried. Connor was leaning on Tina, half asleep, while she wavered between finishing her food and nodding off herself. Sixty had left them to stand at the bar, leaning on his elbows and sticking his ass out as he spoke to Allen, who was busily cleaning glasses to be returned to the shelf. It was nice to have a lull in attention. It meant he could slow down on the drinking and just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
The tavern was lively, with the fire roaring and flocks of older students huddled at tables and standing in open spaces. Many villagers were also out and about, propping up the bar as they did most evenings. It was loud, but the chatter was nice. Laughter and cheer filled the cosy space as everyone enjoyed their day off. Many of the store owners were also in, having closed early or not opened at all. Closing shops on Sunday was one of those muggle habits that had crept into their world, mostly to allow them to blend in. It wasn't really necessary in Hogsmeade, where muggles could never tread, but many still closed.
By the time they left later that night, he was less than steady on his feet. Sixty stayed behind, likely planning to spend the night with Allen. Connor and Tina stumbled their way into the fireplace, and Gavin decided to walk back. Luckily, the rain had stopped by then, else Nines may have forced him to use floo powder. As Gavin stumbled along the cobbles, Nines began to think that may have been the safer option. He had little choice in the end but to wrap his arm around his shoulders and lead him.
"You're certainly a handful when you're drunk," Nines chuckled as Gavin stumbled, holding him tight and all but lifting him upright. Gavin squinted at the accusation, clearly unimpressed. He seemed set to argue as he opened his mouth before entirely forgetting what he was about to say. Despite his stumbled steps, he could walk relatively quickly and in the right direction. It made the journey much easier. He might be accused of holding Gavin a little closer than necessary as they walked, but Gavin certainly didn't complain, especially not as they finally arrived in the corridor to his rooms. He latched onto his neck and hung there like a koala, burrowing his face in his shoulder with a tired hum. "Come, Gavin, you can't sleep on your feet."
"Phcking watch me…" Gavin's body sagged slightly as he grumbled. Nines huffed and took the added weight, lifting him off his feet. "Phck! How did I get up here?" His green eyes were wide in surprised as he gripped his neck tightly. It was odd, seeing the world from Nines' height. "Am I flying?" Nines couldn't help leaning his head on Gavin's shoulder as he tried to stifle his laughter. "What's so funny?" Gavin demanded as he carried him through the classroom and up to his rooms.
"You are." Gavin scoffed at the teasing as they reached his room. Something seemed to change for both of them. An awkwardness set in. A sense of anticipation. Nines gave him a tight smile as he set him on his feet and ushered him to his chair, where he fell with a surprised huff. Nines licked his lips as he sank to his knees and pulled his boot laces. He froze as fingers laced in his hair and gripped, green eyes looking down in an almost lustful haze. Nines huffed softly as he leaned into the fingers and gently extracted them, turning Gavin's hand to kiss the palm with gentle lips. "Sit here." Gavin nodded numbly as Nines pushed to his feet and murmured a small summoning spell.
"What's this?" Another delivery it seemed. A neat envelope had been left on the small side table at his elbow. Gavin picked it up and squinted at the familiar writing. It was familiar, but the name was stubbornly out of reach with the current fog in his head. Upon opening it, he pulled out another card. Dear Gavin, I know you're not one for birthdays, but I still thought we should mark the occasion. It's good to have you close this year. Happy birthday, baby brother. All our love, Eli and Chloe. Gavin huffed sleepily as he lowered the card to his knee. Elijah hadn't called him baby brother out loud since they were children. He was a little surprised he remembered. It was nice of him to think of me…I should thank him…
"Gavin…Gavin, drink this." He blindly followed the coaxing voice as a hand shook his shoulder. A small glass was pushed into his hand, and he knocked back the familiar bitter sludge. After drinking some water, Nines pulled him up and led him to the bedroom. He wasn't even awake enough to open his eyes as gentle hands pushed off his jacket and pulled the buttons of his shirt. He was soon bundled beneath the heavy covers in his pants with the fire roaring in the hearth and gentle fingers stroking his hair. "I hope you had a good day…" Gavin vaguely hummed in response, though it was impossible to tell whether it was an agreement or denial. He barely felt the brush of lips on his temple before Nines stepped back. "Happy birthday, Gavin."