Theo @kang-ming-te - Tumblr Blog

"Just my parents and siblings. The one playing must be my sister, though. I'm getting these to my room." He adds, taking the luggage upstairs.

"So..." Stephen starts. Entering the estate and closing the door behind him amd looking down at the group. "Theodore's friends... Which one of you is it?"

Amit blinked once in mild surprise before realizing, a second too late, that Stephen was most likely speaking about him. A faint flush immediately rose across his face, though he still managed a polite smile as he adjusted the gift bags in his arms.

"That would be me," he admitted, voice warm despite the slight nervousness lingering beneath it. "Amit Thakkar. It is very nice to finally meet you."

Beside him, Natty’s expression softened with visible amusement.

"Oh dear," she murmured lightly to the others. "He has started speaking formally. That is how you know he is trying very hard to make a good impression."

@ancientsmagic

Elizabeth smiled watching the interaction, next to Natty. “Good first impressions are important.” She says, without looking away.

“Should we introduce ourselves, too?” She asks, suddenly “there is lots of us.” She adds, thoughtfully.

@ignisrosae

starlitlyra

"He writes a lot about all of you." Stephen continues, seemingly more calm. "A certain name showed up more than the others. I suppose I now know why." With the exact same stern expression like he was trying to burn a hole through Amit with his gaze, he extended his hand, although his tone softened a little. "Welcome to the family. I can tell you that our parents will be pleased. He gave us two conditions about dating and you meet both. They'll be relieved just laying eyes on you."

"I can tell you sir... uh... sir Stephen? That Amit and Theo are perfect for each other." Lyra chimes in, slowly coming next to Amit and gently putting her arm against his shoulders. "Not only are they really adorable, but Amit is a Virgo sun, which fits nicely with Theo's Tauro."

"Ah, astrology?" Stephen let out a chuckle. "I suppose you are Lyra."

Her eyes lit up, a wide smile curving his lips. "Oh, he talks about me a lot?"

Elizabeth decided to join the cluster that was forming. “ who wouldn’t talk about you, Lyra.” She says, kindly “you’re great.”

She turned her attention to Stephen now, extending a hand politely “Elizabeth Hosford, it’s wonderful to meet you.” she says, her northern english accent light. “Thank you so much for hosting so many of us.”

@ignisrosae @kang-ming-te

"Don't worry about it." Stephen says calmly. "Our parents like it when the house is full, and I'm glad I get to meet my little brother's friends."

Then, a woman came out of the house. She had long, black hair put up and an apron covering her dress, she looked older than Stephen, so it was safe to assume she was their mother. "Oh! Ming Te's friends!" She said sweetly. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. Please, come in!"

@ancientsmagic @ignisrosae

After a brief chat with Isla, Elizabeth goes to pet the dog too. “Yuèliàng?” She repeats “what an interesting name!” she says, kneeling down and petting the dog with poppy.

Anne glanced up at Ominis “you excited?” She asks, nudging his side. “For now though, let’s go make sure my brother isn’t being weird.”

Elizabeth dusted off her skirt as she stood up, helping Poppy up too. “so Theo, who else is here?” she asks a few minutes later.

@ignisrosae

pearlsandmist

Isla lingered near the others this time, quietly listening as conversation carried easily through the entrance hall while lanternlight flickered warmly against the windows. Then, somewhere deeper within the estate, the faint sound of a piano drifted through the halls. She glanced up almost immediately, surprise softening her expression before a quieter thought followed behind it.

"…Perhaps we should have music tonight,” she suggested after a moment, a small smile finally appearing as she looked back toward the group. "A proper celebration deserves at least that much, doesn’t it?"

Amit brightened instantly beside her.

"Oh, now this is an excellent idea,” he declared warmly. "Much better than forcing the rest of us to attempt dancing in silence."

Natty laughed softly at that, already stepping closer with clear approval. "I think that sounds lovely," she agreed.

@kang-ming-te

"Just my parents and siblings. The one playing must be my sister, though. I'm getting these to my room." He adds, taking the luggage upstairs.

"So..." Stephen starts. Entering the estate and closing the door behind him amd looking down at the group. "Theodore's friends... Which one of you is it?"

Just as everyone was beginning to feel a little too crammed together, they had arrived at the destination. Elizabeth, Ominis, Poppy and Natty all allowed the two couples to get off first, then they filed out on their own.

Anne had made her way over to Ominis, linking their arms together as she had deposited the gifts to their owners.

Elizabeth glanced around “ wow, this place is so beautiful! What a perfect place for a party! ”

@ignisrosae

ignisrosae

Beatrice stepped down from the carriage with an immediate look of quiet admiration, lanternlight catching softly against the careful details of her coat as she glanced across the estate.

"The views alone are enough to make Hogwarts seem terribly dull by comparison," she said lightly, a warm smile finding Theo easily. "You may have set impossibly high standards for future birthday celebrations now."

Beside him, Amit adjusted the gift bags in his arms before looking out toward the grounds with obvious awe. "I think this may be the most beautiful place I have ever seen," he admitted softly to Theo. "I am beginning to understand why you speak about home the way you do."

@kang-ming-te

Omimis smiles down at Anne, allowing her to hold onto him. He felt a certain warmth pooling in his chest. Perhaps it was excitement for the party.

"Wait until you see the lake." Theo walks towards the back of the carriage in order to help with the few luggage they brought. Meanwhile, Stephen walked towards the house, opening the door and allowing a very excited and very big dog to almost knock Theo down.

Poppy's eyes instantly lit up, walking up to Theo and the dog. "Aww!" She exclaimed, quickly petting it and helping Theo get up. "What's her name?"

"Yuèliàng" Theo says with a laugh, back on his feet and bringing the luggage inside. "It means 'moon'"

Elizabeth huffed, tucked in between poppy and natty. “ oh yes, such a charmer, Sebastian. ” she replies, teasingly. She turns her attention to Theo “ thank you again for having us. ” she says, smiling softly. she glanced outside the carriage at the scenery “ beautiful views. ”

As much as Elizabeth hated flying she did have to admit the views were always breathtaking.

In the other carriage, Anne was juggling gifts on her lap. “ as impressive as it is we are all crammed in here, I really wish they took their bloody gifts! ” she said, pulling a gift bag up onto her lap.

@ignisrosae

ignisrosae

"Oh, Sebastian absolutely thinks he can charm his way through anything," Beatrice replied easily, entirely too fond to even pretend to sound exasperated, punctuating the subtle comment with a kiss to his cheek and a tiny smile. "Unfortunately for the rest of us, it usually works."

That earned a quiet laugh from Amit, though his attention briefly drifted toward the scenery below before returning to Theo beside him. "I think I’m beginning to understand why you like this place so much,” he admitted softly. “It feels… peaceful out here. Even with all of us crammed together."

Carefully balancing one of the gift bags on his lap, Amit glanced toward Theo again, expression warming slightly. "Though I am still fairly convinced your brother could reduce half the carriage to tears with a single look," he added with a soft smile, more teasing than anything.

@kang-ming-te

"Maybe." Theo laughs, his thumb tracing mindless circles on the back of Amit's hand. "He helped dismantle the ashwinder part of London, that's how he met his wife, actually."

"Oh, that explains why they seem so alike." Poppy said playfully, although she shifted on her seat, trying to get some more personal space. It wasn't that it bothered her be so close to her friends, but the carriage was starting to feel cramped.

ignisrosae

It was on a saturday night that the friend group couldn’t stop shaking with excitement. They would be heading towards Theo's parents' farm house to spend the weekend in celebration of Bea and Theo's birthday.

There was a sense of intrigue going on, given that Theo's older brother, Stephen, offered to go pick everyone up. He was a bit taller than Theo, serious and stern where Theo was nervous and tender. His wife, however, reminded of a sunflower, one that could take a man down with the touch of her finger.

They fit mostly comfortably in carriages, one where Sebastian, Ominis, Theodore, Beatrice, Amit, Poppy, Natsai and Elizabeth somehow managed to squeeze themselves in, and the other with Imelda, Lyra, Isla, Everett and Anne.

@ancientsmagic @kang-ming-te

Beatrice had been excited all week for the trip, though she suspected Sebastian’s enthusiasm mostly came from the fact he’d somehow convinced himself Theo’s parents would adore him despite every warning given beforehand.

By the time everyone settled into the carriages, Bea already tucked comfortably against Sebastian’s side beneath the evening chill, she found herself far more distracted by the warmth of him beside her than the scenery passing outside.

Though admittedly, Theo’s family was difficult to ignore.

"Oh, they’re terrifying," Bea mused after watching Stephen effortlessly organize half the group within minutes. "Your entire family is impressively composed."

Beside Theo, Amit let out a quiet laugh, though he looked faintly nervous all the same.

"I suddenly understand why Theo is so naturally good under pressure," he admitted, glancing toward him fondly. "I think meeting your family may actually be more intimidating than my astronomy exams."

"No, that's just how Stephen is." Theo says with a soft chuckle, his hand finding Amit's on their laps. "He's an auror, so he must be pretty tough, I think. Although, they're going to love you, Amit." He adds softly. "I made sure of it."

"I don't think Stephen likes us very much." Poppy chuckles. "He looked at us like mongrels look at anyone who enters their territory."

"Nah, you're exaggerating." Sebastian chimes in, his arm naturally around Bea's shoulders. "We're all charming enough, if they don't like us by the end of the weekend then, I'm sorry Theo, but there must be something wrong with them."

"Because you're such a charmer." Ominis rolled his eyes, making his sarcasm evident.

Sebastian smiles, turning his head to give Bea a kiss. "It's certainly easier dealing with everything together."

Theo felt some sort of dull ache in his chest. He was happy for Seb and Bea of course, but it felt unfair not being able to be equally affectionate with his boy. Damn, if only they weren't in public.

Soon enough, a kind waitress brought the drinks and food they ordered.

Amit was paying more attention to Theo, noticing the subtle shift in his eyes and clocking the unspoken sentiment. If only they didn't need to be so discreet. His gaze fell to Theo's lips and lingered for a moment, then back to his eyes deliberately as if to say, I know. I thought the same thing. Perhaps when they return to the castle...

There's the faintest curve of a smile at the corner of his lips at the thought.

Bea presses her lips against Sebastian's, her kiss soft and sweet. "I couldn't agree more. And I'm sure we'll figure things out even faster together, knowing us," she smiles, just as their orders arrive: a spiced chai for Amit and a couple of sandwiches, a warm and sweet coffee drink for Bea with some tea cakes to share.

"Of course we will." Seb smiles proudly, taking a bite of one of the tea cakes. "We're the smartest people in Hogwarts. No matter how much some portraits of dead keepers make us endure."

Under the table, Theo kept his fingers laced with Amit. A quiet promise for so much deserved private time later.

Their lunch passed calm, allowing them to feel like mormal teens who didn't have the weight of the most powerful magic in the wizarding world on their shoulders, and at the end, they managed to catch one of the Hogwarts express runs, where Theo ended up napping with his head on Amit's shoulder.

Sebastian give Bea a knowing look. Theo was never forward anout what their relationship entailed, but this whole trip made it painfully obvious.

Theo didn't have to be told twice. This time, the stram of magic danced around his fingers, settling on Amit's as he reached for his hand.

"I'm still not sure what it means or what's all it can do. It's already pretty weird three of us can see it." His eyes remained on their joined hands. It felt like if he looked Amit in the eye his heart might burst.

"And we are helping them find out." Seb adds with a hint of pride. "Maybe they can help Anne feel better. Isn't that incredible? Welding the most powerful magic there is. Isn't that right, Bea?"

Amit feels the silvery strands of magic weave carefully between their hands, the faint warmth pulsing against his skin unlike anything he had ever studied, categorized, or attempted to understand. For once, words fail him. His fingers tighten slightly around Theo’s almost unconsciously as he continues watching the glow drift across their joined hands. "It’s beautiful," he says quietly at last, the usual analytical certainty in his voice replaced by something softer—something openly awed.

At Sebastian’s mention of Anne, Amit’s expression shifts further, thoughtful seriousness settling gently across his features. "If this magic can heal…" he begins carefully, his gaze lingering on the silver-blue light for another moment, "…then I think it deserves to be understood properly." Only then does he finally look up toward Theo again. "And I think," Amit adds more softly, warmth returning faintly to his expression, "that you may be understating just how extraordinary this actually is."

Beside Sebastian, Beatrice’s features soften as she watches the glow flicker between them. "I agree," she nods to Theo. "I do think it's worth more observation." She's been wondering about this herself—what else the ancient magic is capable of, inspired to study it a bit more, and she doubts the Keepers will tell either of them but she prefers to keep an open mind.

"Well," she muses lightly, leaning a little closer into Sebastian’s side, "if love truly is the most powerful magic there is… I suppose the four of us are doing rather well so far." Her lips curve into a playful smile and she tilts her face to press a soft kiss to Sebastian's cheek.

Sebastian smiles, turning his head to give Bea a kiss. "It's certainly easier dealing with everything together."

Theo felt some sort of dull ache in his chest. He was happy for Seb and Bea of course, but it felt unfair not being able to be equally affectionate with his boy. Damn, if only they weren't in public.

Soon enough, a kind waitress brought the drinks and food they ordered.

Sitting beside Amit, Theo took his wand under the table directing it at his hand. Amit could feel the energetic warmth of that magic, invisible to everyone but Beatrice and Theo, she saw the silvery blue glow on their faces across the table.

Theo closed his hand on itself, taking the magic back and turning towards Amit, waiting for a reaction.

"Oh, you did the thing?" Sebastian asks, his arm coming around Bea's shoulder, gently caressing it over the lilac fabric.

"I did the thing." Theo confirms softly.

Amit stills almost immediately at the subtle warmth brushing against his hand beneath the table.

At first, his expression shifts with quiet surprise, his gaze lowering instinctively as though he might somehow see the traces of magic lingering there despite its invisibility. Then the realization settles in. His eyes lift slowly back toward Theo, unmistakable intrigue softening into something far warmer as he watches him reclaim the spell with that same quiet care.

"…That," Amit says after a brief pause, his voice softer than before, "was amazing." He sounds faintly awed. Carefully, almost experimentally, Amit brushes his fingers lightly against Theo’s beneath the table where the warmth had lingered moments before.

"…Do it again," he murmurs, quieter this time.

Across from them, Beatrice can't quite conceal the amusement flickering in her eyes as Sebastian settles his arm around her shoulders, leaning into him slightly with a content smile at his touch. "You’re both being terribly subtle," she muses lightly, recognizing the bright bluish magic from her own experiences. "Nice touch," she adds with a faint nod at Theo, glancing between them knowingly before her attention turns back to Sebastian with an affectionate smile.

Theo didn't have to be told twice. This time, the stram of magic danced around his fingers, settling on Amit's as he reached for his hand.

"I'm still not sure what it means or what's all it can do. It's already pretty weird three of us can see it." His eyes remained on their joined hands. It felt like if he looked Amit in the eye his heart might burst.

"And we are helping them find out." Seb adds with a hint of pride. "Maybe they can help Anne feel better. Isn't that incredible? Welding the most powerful magic there is. Isn't that right, Bea?"

(For @ancientsmagic !!

Prompt: "I didn't see that one coming.")

Another trial solved, more light shed on the mystery that now surrounded Theo's unique ability.

As usual the keepers were awfully cryptic, just sending him on his way to solve the next puzzle.

He exited the map chamber, stumbling into... Elizabeth?

Was she an ancient magic user too? Theo didn't see that one coming.

Wiping dust and dirt off her face with the sleeve of her robe as she exited the chamber, she didn’t even realize another student was there. Stepping back slightly Elizabeth was quick to apologize. “Oh, I’m so sorry! ”

An eyebrow raised, almost a hint of defensiveness in her tone when she spoke again. “ how did you get in here? ” she asked, blue eyes lingering on the other before looking around them for any signs of danger — didn’t even recognize the student.

At this point, it was easier to show than tell. Theo gets his wand and points it to his hand. A silvery blue stream of ancient magic bridging between the two and remaining as a warm ball of energy between his fingers.

He too knew about Beatrice being an ancient magic user by pure coincidence, but was Elizabeth one too?

Does that mean the keepers were hiding them from each other?

Elizabeth’s eyes widened “ ancient magic? ” she says, not really to him but rather speaking her thoughts. “ why wouldn’t professor fig have told us about each other? ” she says, looking towards Theo.

A beat, before she speaks up “I’m so sorry, I’m bloody horrible with names, what’s your name again? ”

"It's alright," He says softly, closing his hand on itself to get rid of the ball of magic. "I go by Theodore. Perhaps he thought we would be safer that way, but I don't get why the keepers wouldn't."

The brunette nods, extending a hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Theodore. I’m Elizabeth. ” She says a polite smile on her face.

“Maybe the keepers think it would be best, to keep tabs on what we know. . . . But then again they are just portraits so maybe they don’t think like they would have in life. ”

"I get it you're friends with Beatrice?" He asks, tentatively stepping closer. "I'm dorm mates with Sebastian, so he talks a lot about her. Has she told you about..." He stops himself, if Elizabeth didn't know it was not his secret to tell anymore.

“Bea? Oh, yeah we close! ” she says, nodding. Elizabeth offers a small smile “ we have friends in common then — Sebastian and I are friends too. ” she adds, thoughtfully.

Somehow she had more Slytherin friends than any other gryffindor she knew, but she wasn’t complaining.

“ Bea hasn’t mentioned anything. . . But if it’s anything like our little secret, I can only assume, that she also can see and use ancient magic? ”

"I knew one night I was by the forbidden forest." Theo starts. "She was on a date with Sebastian and I was picking up lacewing flies. They got attacked by spiders and I felt it. And, well, it couldn't have been Sebastian. She knew about me when Seb invited us both to meet Anne."

Theo brought them to a warm coffeehouse near the Tamesis' side. The lights of the city creating a mesmerizing spectacle on the surface of the water.

There were various tables, some occupied by people reading, a couple sharing some photos from one of those new portable cameras, even a lady calmly painting a portrait with watercolors by the window.

The warm scent of coffee and baked goods filled their noses as they stepped inside and followed Seb's lead, eho took a seat near a corner of the room.

The warmth of the coffeehouse settles over them almost instantly after the chill of the London streets, carrying with it the rich scent of coffee, pastries, and something faintly sweet lingering beneath it all.

Beatrice’s gaze drifts briefly toward the windows, taking in the shimmering lights dancing across the Thames before a soft smile touches her lips.

"Oh, this is lovely," she muses, genuine delight warming her voice as she follows Sebastian toward the quieter corner of the room. She slips easily into the seat beside him rather than across from him, the lilac fabric of her new dress settling around her as her fingers instinctively find his again beneath the table.

Nearby, Amit pauses for a moment to admire the atmosphere properly: the scattered books, the quiet conversations, the painter near the window capturing the city in watercolor. "It feels…" he begins thoughtfully before a faint smile appears, softer now as he glances toward Theo. "…peaceful."

The word lingers gently between them as Amit takes his seat beside him, visibly more relaxed than he had been amidst the noise of the city outside. "And significantly less dangerous than our previous conversations," he adds lightly with a hint of a smile.

#rip snake dividers you will be remembered

Sitting beside Amit, Theo took his wand under the table directing it at his hand. Amit could feel the energetic warmth of that magic, invisible to everyone but Beatrice and Theo, she saw the silvery blue glow on their faces across the table.

Theo closed his hand on itself, taking the magic back and turning towards Amit, waiting for a reaction.

"Oh, you did the thing?" Sebastian asks, his arm coming around Bea's shoulder, gently caressing it over the lilac fabric.

"I did the thing." Theo confirms softly.

(For @ancientsmagic !!

Prompt: "I didn't see that one coming.")

Another trial solved, more light shed on the mystery that now surrounded Theo's unique ability.

As usual the keepers were awfully cryptic, just sending him on his way to solve the next puzzle.

He exited the map chamber, stumbling into... Elizabeth?

Was she an ancient magic user too? Theo didn't see that one coming.

Wiping dust and dirt off her face with the sleeve of her robe as she exited the chamber, she didn’t even realize another student was there. Stepping back slightly Elizabeth was quick to apologize. “Oh, I’m so sorry! ”

An eyebrow raised, almost a hint of defensiveness in her tone when she spoke again. “ how did you get in here? ” she asked, blue eyes lingering on the other before looking around them for any signs of danger — didn’t even recognize the student.

At this point, it was easier to show than tell. Theo gets his wand and points it to his hand. A silvery blue stream of ancient magic bridging between the two and remaining as a warm ball of energy between his fingers.

He too knew about Beatrice being an ancient magic user by pure coincidence, but was Elizabeth one too?

Does that mean the keepers were hiding them from each other?

Elizabeth’s eyes widened “ ancient magic? ” she says, not really to him but rather speaking her thoughts. “ why wouldn’t professor fig have told us about each other? ” she says, looking towards Theo.

A beat, before she speaks up “I’m so sorry, I’m bloody horrible with names, what’s your name again? ”

"It's alright," He says softly, closing his hand on itself to get rid of the ball of magic. "I go by Theodore. Perhaps he thought we would be safer that way, but I don't get why the keepers wouldn't."

The brunette nods, extending a hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Theodore. I’m Elizabeth. ” She says a polite smile on her face.

“Maybe the keepers think it would be best, to keep tabs on what we know. . . . But then again they are just portraits so maybe they don’t think like they would have in life. ”

"I get it you're friends with Beatrice?" He asks, tentatively stepping closer. "I'm dorm mates with Sebastian, so he talks a lot about her. Has she told you about..." He stops himself, if Elizabeth didn't know it was not his secret to tell anymore.

(For @ancientsmagic !!

Prompt: "I didn't see that one coming.")

Another trial solved, more light shed on the mystery that now surrounded Theo's unique ability.

As usual the keepers were awfully cryptic, just sending him on his way to solve the next puzzle.

He exited the map chamber, stumbling into... Elizabeth?

Was she an ancient magic user too? Theo didn't see that one coming.

Wiping dust and dirt off her face with the sleeve of her robe as she exited the chamber, she didn’t even realize another student was there. Stepping back slightly Elizabeth was quick to apologize. “Oh, I’m so sorry! ”

An eyebrow raised, almost a hint of defensiveness in her tone when she spoke again. “ how did you get in here? ” she asked, blue eyes lingering on the other before looking around them for any signs of danger — didn’t even recognize the student.

At this point, it was easier to show than tell. Theo gets his wand and points it to his hand. A silvery blue stream of ancient magic bridging between the two and remaining as a warm ball of energy between his fingers.

He too knew about Beatrice being an ancient magic user by pure coincidence, but was Elizabeth one too?

Does that mean the keepers were hiding them from each other?

Elizabeth’s eyes widened “ ancient magic? ” she says, not really to him but rather speaking her thoughts. “ why wouldn’t professor fig have told us about each other? ” she says, looking towards Theo.

A beat, before she speaks up “I’m so sorry, I’m bloody horrible with names, what’s your name again? ”

"It's alright," He says softly, closing his hand on itself to get rid of the ball of magic. "I go by Theodore. Perhaps he thought we would be safer that way, but I don't get why the keepers wouldn't."

(For @ancientsmagic !!

Prompt: "I didn't see that one coming.")

Another trial solved, more light shed on the mystery that now surrounded Theo's unique ability.

As usual the keepers were awfully cryptic, just sending him on his way to solve the next puzzle.

He exited the map chamber, stumbling into... Elizabeth?

Was she an ancient magic user too? Theo didn't see that one coming.

Wiping dust and dirt off her face with the sleeve of her robe as she exited the chamber, she didn’t even realize another student was there. Stepping back slightly Elizabeth was quick to apologize. “Oh, I’m so sorry! ”

An eyebrow raised, almost a hint of defensiveness in her tone when she spoke again. “ how did you get in here? ” she asked, blue eyes lingering on the other before looking around them for any signs of danger — didn’t even recognize the student.

At this point, it was easier to show than tell. Theo gets his wand and points it to his hand. A silvery blue stream of ancient magic bridging between the two and remaining as a warm ball of energy between his fingers.

He too knew about Beatrice being an ancient magic user by pure coincidence, but was Elizabeth one too?

Does that mean the keepers were hiding them from each other?

(For @ancientsmagic !!

Prompt: "I didn't see that one coming.")

Another trial solved, more light shed on the mystery that now surrounded Theo's unique ability.

As usual the keepers were awfully cryptic, just sending him on his way to solve the next puzzle.

He exited the map chamber, stumbling into... Elizabeth?

Was she an ancient magic user too? Theo didn't see that one coming.

"Oh! Are you cold? You want my sweater?"

In front of them, Seb chuckled. He remembers the first time he gave Bea his jacket, especially the way her cheeks flushed and how she would bring the sleeves to her face every so often to smell his scent.

"I know a place, actually," Theo continues, almost unaware of the meaning behind his offering. "My brother is even worse on crowds than I am, so he did anything he could to find a calm place to wind down after work."

Amit blinks at the immediate offer, visibly caught off guard by the sincerity behind it. "I spend most evenings in the Astronomy Tower," he points out softly, amusement warming his voice. "Compared to that, London is practically mild."

Still, he doesn’t dismiss the gesture. His gaze lingers briefly on Theo’s sweater before lifting back toward him again, something quieter settling into his expression now. "…Though I admit," he adds after a moment, "I rather like that your first instinct was to offer."

A faint warmth rises to his cheeks almost immediately afterward, as though he only realized how honest the statement sounded once it had already left him. "But your brother sounds wise," Amit continues, gentler now. "A calm place does sound nice."

Meanwhile Bea smiles softly and casts Seb a knowing glance, reminded of them, as if they're on the same wavelength (and most of the time, they are). She moves closer to him when they walk together as the night air cools, more sensitive to the falling temperature.

Theo brought them to a warm coffeehouse near the Tamesis' side. The lights of the city creating a mesmerizing spectacle on the surface of the water.

There were various tables, some occupied by people reading, a couple sharing some photos from one of those new portable cameras, even a lady calmly painting a portrait with watercolors by the window.

The warm scent of coffee and baked goods filled their noses as they stepped inside and followed Seb's lead, eho took a seat near a corner of the room.

"Right? I'm just saying," Seb continued as the four walked, searching for a place to eat. "If I was Amit and the boy I spend the most time with kept dissapearing and then coming back covered in bruises and took me to fight some goblins one time even, I'd worry at least a little bit-"

"Yes! Alright, you made your point!" Theo cuts, sighing as he made his way behind Seb and Bea. He turned towards Amit, his demeanor softening, and how could he not? It's Amit. "Are you craving anything?" He asked.

A soft warmth settles across Amit’s face almost instantly at Theo’s words, subtle but impossible to entirely hide. For a moment, he looks down briefly, as though gathering himself beneath the weight of that quiet, unguarded fondness before lifting his gaze back toward Theo again.

"…I should hope you would worry at least a little," he murmurs, the teasing note in his voice far gentler than sharp. His expression softens further after a beat.

"Though I admit the image of Sebastian attempting to behave rationally out of concern for someone else is perhaps the most surprising revelation of the day." A faint laugh escapes him then, easier now than before.

At Theo’s question, Amit grows thoughtful for a moment, glancing around at the lively London streets before answering: "Somewhere warm," he decides softly. "And preferably quiet enough that we are not overheard discussing trolls, goblins, or ancient magic every five minutes."