Genius Gloryflower

Sixth Year. Ravenclaw. Prefect. Yes... I am the Minister's son... well one of them. If you think you saw me at a party, that was probably my twin, Valentine.

[orlando-gloryflower]

Bring on Christmas...

[legendary-lysander]

The rules for you and the rules for Valentine aren’t the same. Louis is dating Valentine. He wants to feel like they’re on the same level, he doesn’t want Val to get him a gift Louis could never match.

That’s not the case with you. Louis doesn’t have to feel equal to you. 

Umm…well, get him something that says that. Like, pay for a date or a trip or something for them. Something that’s like “Hey guys, I’m super supportive of your relationship and I want you guys to go and have fun together.” 

Unless that’s not how you really feel. 

[orlando-gloryflower]

I'm avoiding making any ripples when I'm at the Burrow. They were kind enough to open their doors to me and Val and Pop at Christmas, I'm just trying to be the best guest possible. 

Convenient because I'm very certain he doesn't feel that I'm equal to him. 

That's... that's actually a great idea. Get them a hotel room somewhere, a nice weekend where they can get away from everything here and just focus on each other. 

It really is. It wasn't... for a long time. But all I want is for Val to be happy, and Louis makes him the happiest I've ever seen him. I want a relationship like their's one day. 

[orlando-gloryflower]

Bring on Christmas...

[legendary-lysander]

Usually the secret santa is just something the Weasleys do because nobody in the world could afford to buy presents for all of them. Well, maybe you could. 

So, pro-tip: buy gifts for the people who really like presents, like the younger kids, and James and Fred, and definitely Louis. Buy Louis something really nice. And everyone else will be happy with a card. 

[orlando-gloryflower]

I have been strictly interdicted from buying everyone presents. Valentine was very clear that that was forbidden. But also, I blew the majority of my budget making his and my fathers presents. 

I've got a present for Albus and Fred... I'm trying to figure out what to get James that cannot be used later in a prank that affects my life which is proving oh so difficult. 

As for Louis... any suggestions would be helpful. I've been wracking my brain for months trying to figure out what to get that says "Hey. I know we got off on the roughest of feet but I'm glad you and Val are together and I like you." So far I have nothing. 

[orlando-gloryflower]

Bring on Christmas...

[legendary-lysander]

Yeah, I’m sure it’ll pass in a day or two. 

Well, that’s cool. Usually my family spends Christmas there, too. 

[orlando-gloryflower]

Even so... best not to take any chances this close to the Holiday. 

Really? It'll be nice to have so many people I think of as my friends there. I know it'll make Christmas easier on Pop if Val and I are happy. I just wish there were things we could do for him.

So do you know anything about the Secret Santa that goes on there? Because I'd feel bad if we showed up unprepared for it. 

[orlando-gloryflower]

Bring on Christmas...

[legendary-lysander]

Oh, umm…it’s just…this time of year. I get allergies and stuff when the weather changes like this. Terrible head cold, snot everywhere, stuff like that, that’s all. 

Are you going to the Burrow for Christmas?

[orlando-gloryflower]

That's unfortunate. Drink lots of tea and rest up well, being sick on Christmas is awful.

I am. Louis invited us and it is better than spending it moping at home.

[orlando-gloryflower]

Bring on Christmas...

[legendary-lysander]

Nah, no more of that. Not today, anyway. 

I’m feeling a bit peaky, but that’s no surprise, really. 

[orlando-gloryflower]

Good. I'm glad. 

Why? What's wrong?

[orlando-gloryflower]

Bring on Christmas...

[legendary-lysander]

[orlando-gloryflower]

H-hey Sander.

How are you holding up? No more freezing beverages to the face?

[orlando-gloryflower]

Bring on Christmas...

All my shopping's done. 

Now I just need... well... my Dad to come home. 

[valentine-gloryflower]

Worth a look through I guess.

[valentine-gloryflower]

You’re older by a minute and twenty nine seconds, Lando - that shit only counts with people who aren’t twins.

I just don’t want to see you hurt. Not so soon after our birthday and North leaving. I don’t want to see you shattered, and Ruslan Fletcher feels like the thing that’ll do it. But … if you trust him, I’ll keep my concerns to myself around him. 

I love you, and I am very happy for you and Russ.

[orlando-gloryflower]

And I will lord that minute and twenty-nine seconds over your head until the day we die. 

That's the chance you take though, isn't it? That you can be hurt. That's... that's what I've learned from watching you. Yes, the potential for pain is there, but the joy and love outweighs that. And if I could have something like the love you and Louis have, with Russ... I don't want to miss out on that. And if I shatter... I finally have a group of friends I can turn to. It won't be your job to pick me up again. 

Please do... he's already concerned about your judgment on the matter. 

I love you too, Val. Now please, for Merlin's sake, help me figure out what to buy Louis for Christmas... because I have no idea what to get him. 

[valentine-gloryflower]

Worth a look through I guess.

[valentine-gloryflower]

I’m glad you wanted to tell me, and I’m … I’m really happy you’re happy, Lando. But … this is a lot. And for a guy who’s literally never made any insinuations that he might be gay to just suddenly profess his feelings for my twin brother … this doesn’t look exactly great for Ruslan. 

I’d … I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt because he’s been your friend for a long time, but I also don’t want you to be blinded by your crush on him and not see the risks.

[orlando-gloryflower]

You know, traditionally, it's the older brother who's supposed to be the overprotective one. 

I know, Val. Trust me. It's been something tugging on the back of my mind for the past two days, that constant needling doubt that maybe he's just lonely and I'm convenient because I'm always there anyway. I'm trying to stay at least a little bit guarded because of that; so if Jess wants him back or some other girl comes along and he decides this was just a moment of insanity that it doesn't hurt too terribly much. 

But I still trust him. 

[valentine-gloryflower]

Worth a look through I guess.

[valentine-gloryflower]

No, I’m not dissapointed. I promise I’m not dissapointed. I’m happy as long as you’re happy, Lando, you know that.

But … are you sure that this means the same to him as it does to you? He’s … -coughs awkwardly- well known to be straight. 

[orlando-gloryflower]

Okay. Good. I really wanted to tell you because I want you to know the things that are going on in my life. 

Trust me that was part of the very long talk. Because yes, I know he's very well known for his love of bedding women. But, he was very adamant about the genuine nature of his feelings for me... and I trust him, Val. 

[valentine-gloryflower]

Worth a look through I guess.

[valentine-gloryflower]

Oh. Well that’s … both relieving and mildly disheartening. 

Russ. Ruslan Fletcher. Your straight best friend. You’re dating him.

[orlando-gloryflower]

I'm thankful for it this year because my Transfiguration essay has taken up far too much of my time. 

Uh.... yes. I am. Please say something more than that look of vague disappointment. 

[valentine-gloryflower]

Worth a look through I guess.

[valentine-gloryflower]

Uhm … as far as I can tell? Why, you wanna take a look through my old fourth year charms paper in the hopes I can re-use it for this year, too?

[orlando-gloryflower]

No, but you should be able to get away with it. I know for a fact Honeywhistle only skims end of term papers.  

I had a really glib way to announce this that ameliorated some of the awkwardness but I'm just going to come out and say it. 

Russ kissed me, we had a really long talk and now we're dating. 

[valentine-gloryflower]

Worth a look through I guess.

[orlando-gloryflower]

We're still doing that... openness and sharing thing, right?

[ruslan-fletcher-blog]

Well.

[ruslan-fletcher-blog]

I want you to keep doing those things. I like hanging out with Delilah and goofing off with Lanie and sometimes drinking with Jess. I don’t want to be the only person in your life. I just want to be the only person you want to date and all of that. And I want you in bed with me at least most nights.

Almost as lucky as I got with you, yeah?

I know. But those responsibilities are a lot more flexible than your responsibilities as heir. I’m not going to just toss those things to the side, but if you have some pressing matter going on, I might make that my priority. At least until the crisis is over. You can do the same thing for me. If you don’t have anything bigger going on, you can come visit my Mum with me the next time I get an owl from her saying that she misses having me at home.

[orlando-gloryflower]

You are the only person I want to date... and though it may be such a trial for me to spend nights with my phenomenally attractive and kind boyfriend I think that I can endure such hardships.

Well that remains to be seen, doesn't it?

I lo-... I lucked out with you, Ruslan Fletcher. You're wonderful. and I can't wait to meet your Mum, next time she summons you home I'll be right there next to you, sweating up a storm as she passes judgment. 

[ruslan-fletcher-blog]

Well.

[ruslan-fletcher-blog]

I know, Lando. And you know that I’d never ask you to stop hanging out with your friends, right? I want you to have friends. I want you to have people you like spending time with. I’ve got friends, too. I don’t want you to abandon the other people you care about just because we’re together.

I’m also aware that you’re the heir. Here’s hoping that we’ll be together for a very, very long time and I’ll be there to make sure you’re not working yourself into an early grave and bring you hot chocolate and all of that. I don’t want you to be anything other than what you are, okay? I don’t have those kinds of responsibilities. I can be here to support you with yours.

[orlando-gloryflower]

Okay good. Because I like watching movies with Jess, and not-talking to Albus and overdosing on cocoa with Tucker. I've... I've got people, and I really like that because for the first time in my life there's more than one person I can go talk to about things. 

I... I got really lucky with you, didn't I. 

You have responsibilities, Russ. To your Mum, to yourself. I don't want those to take a back burner just because you're concerned about me. We have to keep this equitable. I want to care for you as you care for me. 

[ruslan-fletcher-blog]

Well.

[ruslan-fletcher-blog]

You’re right. None of those things are surprising to me. And trust me, I know. I couldn’t even get you to talk about the crush, yeah?

Honestly? We were joking around a while ago and I said something about you having a crush on me for like a week, and you said it was longer. You said it was a lot longer than I thought. And then I couldn’t stop thinking about it, no matter how hard I tried. I had to know, and I was so confused trying to figure out why I wanted to know so badly. And then you started sleeping in my bed, and having you there just… it felt like you were supposed to be there. And then I was trying to figure out why that was, and why I didn’t care that people were talking about us being together. It didn’t bother me. And then… I sort of just realized it. All the pieces just sort of came together, and I started really thinking about it and… wanting to kiss you and wanting to tell you that I had feelings for you. But I was afraid that you didn’t have feelings for me anymore, that I was too late. That’s why I kept trying to get you to talk about it. I thought maybe… I dunno, that if you still liked me I could get you to admit it again and then I’d know before telling you.

[orlando-gloryflower]

Though the smell of you is starting to replace those on my list of top smells. You just... smell right and good. 

Russ... you know that being with me... comes with challenges. I'm me. I'm weird and antisocial and I've got only a handful of friends and just because I'm dating you doesn't mean I'm going to stop hanging out with them. And... there's no future deviation for me... for what I have to be. I will always be bound to that house, that name, and I like that. I like having that purpose and that drive. 

[ruslan-fletcher-blog]

Well.

[ruslan-fletcher-blog]

Good. I like it. I’m kind of a sucker for lavender. It’s one of the things I smell in amortentia…. you’re not using love potion as shampoo to seduce me, are you?

Kidding. Of course.

Yeah, well, I was bloody terrified. As far as I knew you’d stopped fancying me ages ago. I pretty much didn’t think I had a shot in the world but I had to do it, yeah? I was trying to see if I could figure it out before just… just kissing you like that, but I couldn’t wait anymore. I was just hoping it wouldn’t upset you or send you running.

[orlando-gloryflower]

I smell, as should be no surprise to you.... ink and old books, and caramel. 

Of course I'm not trying to seduce you with a love potion. I'd long since given up n seducing you.

What prompted it? Why were you suddenly so desperate to figure something out that had never crossed your mind before? I was certainly surprised. Shocked even. But I wasn't about to run away.