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Reassigned
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 10-14-12 20:18
This was so not my weekend. Yesterday, my plan failed. Not only did it fail but it went down in a large fireball. I think Bronwyn saw right through it too. Not only did I have to get something, but I ended up getting talked into two. Granted, they weren't that bad, but I wasn't about to tell Bronwyn that.
I then got a letter saying I was being reassigned, and being assigned a partner. So, since it sounded like I had to start my new assignment immediately, I had to head to work. People seemed to get the idea to stay out of my way as I made my way over to my desk.
"You certainly look like a colorful ray of sunshine," Anthony said as I walked passed his desk.
"Shut up."
"Ok…" He said turning back to his desk.
I sighed, "I have been reassigned. And I lost to Bronwyn, again."
"Reassigned?"
"Yeah," I said, "Not sure what else I can say about it yet. Other than I learned at the worst time. Smashed my tv…"
"Wow, that good?" Anthony asked.
"Yeah…" I said as I walked off. I walked over to my desk. Like everyone else, my desk was covered in papers. It took me a few minutes to gather everything together. Once I had my case files stacked up neat enough to carry, I picked them up and walked over to Anthony's desk.
"Hey, since I can't work these," I dropped the stack on Anthony's desk, "Thanks." The stack of files spilled over Anthony's desk covering whatever he was working on. Anthony was stunned into silence.
"Good luck!" I said over my shoulder with a wave as I walked away. I had to go figure out the rest of my new assignment. I'd apologize later, when I got the chance.
Summer Vacation!
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 10-15-12 01:22
"I'm glad I'm not going to Greece until August. There is seriously way too much going on this month for me to actually get anything done."
"I know, and I am as well, because that means that we can spend the entire first month of summer vacation together, and ultimately I think my parents planned our vacation the same time yours is."
"That's perfect and I think Mum is planning some big thing for when we go to the cup. I know she's got a tent big enough for all of us, including your little sister."
"Awesome, and if it means I get more of your mom's cooking I'm all for it."
I shook my head and cuddled up against him, we were currently sitting on the swing that my mum had installed on a thick branch on one of the trees in the front yard.
"I think I want to head over to Briar's and grab something sweet, and then maybe we can play a couple of games at Blossom's?" I said cuddling into him.
"Too early, and I think that we should just stay here until I have to go home. We never get time like this back at the Castle without fear of the prefects or someone squealing." He said, and kissed me lightly.
"Though, if we are going to snog the entire time, we should probably move to the back yard so the neighbors don't complain to my mum."
We pushed up and headed inside for a minute, grabbing a picnic blanket and a few snacks that my mum had left out for us before she'd gone to work this morning and headed out to lounge in the sun on this, the first day of summer vacation.
Last-Minute Research
Author: Phyllida
Date: 10-15-12 02:35
The countryside was a wheaten blur – as if the wild, defiant highlands and rugged lochs had allowed themselves to be gilded with a wizard's wand. Phyllida moved down the Hogwarts Express, jostling aside smaller, younger students with a singular, furious purpose. She carefully scanned each compartment as she walked past; three Ravenclaw first years, still in their school robes; a fifth-year group comprised of three Slytherins and a Hufflepuff; an older Gryffindor and a Hufflepuff holding hands and snogging. Finally, she found a compartment occupied by a group of four Hufflepuffs chatting animatedly. One of them had a curly brown head that bobbed up and down as he told a joke. She bit back a smile and opened the compartment door.
"Nathaniel Ross." She cleared her throat. "May I have a word with you? In private."
He turned to his colleagues. "I'll be right back...or maybe not."
They laughed as he rose and gathered his things, moving to the corridor where Phyllida stood. He closed the door behind him. "Yes?"
She pulled him closer by the collar of his robes, so that their lips nearly touched. She could smell the sweet, aniseed aroma of liquorice wands on his breath. She dashed a quick smile. "I found an empty compartment. I thought you might want to spend the last few hours of the school year with your girlfriend, perhaps?"
"An empty compartment sounds good." He kissed her quickly, and whispered, "Show me the way."
She tugged him by his hand to the compartment, pointing her wand at the door handle. "Locking spell," she explained quickly. "I didn't want anyone taking it." With the door charmed open, and the compartment safely occupied, Nate had a chance to look around. On the comfortable seats designed for students were seated books and papers. She sat down and looked at him. "Well, what are you staring for? Get to work."
"Er...work? School is over." He laughed and sat, pushing some scrolls away so he could lean his feet on the seat.
She seemed distracted as she rifled through a pile of parchment. "I've almost figured out this book's connection with Antioch Peverell. But I need you to sort the books - one pile for biographies written between 1534 and 1766, and one for 1766 to 1968." She flicked her wand at her quill, and it began to take notes for her, as she murmured out passages from a book.
He looked at her astonished and picked up a book lazily. "Again: why are we doing this?"
She continued, distractedly, "Because, Nathaniel, I have figured out what the names in the book have in common. Have you ever heard of the Elder Wand?"
He rolled his eyes and put the book aside. "Kiss me."
She seemed aghast. "What? Nathaniel, we can kiss any time!"
"No we can't. We only have this train ride and then who knows when I'll see you again. And don't call me Nathaniel. You know I hate that."
She softened a little, and put her book down. "I love your name. Nate." She kissed him gently.
He kissed her back. "I wish I could take you home with me."
She played with his hair. "Do you remember the first time we spoke? It was in this compartment."
"No. That was not the first time. But I doubt you remember that other time we spoke." His arms moved around her waist. "But that doesn't matter now."
"Hmm?" She was too distracted by their intimacy to listen.
He kissed her again. "You know, once you get tired of home you can always pay me a visit. You have my address right?"
"I can't stay at your house. My father wouldn't let me..."
"Well at least pay me a visit. My mom would love a chance to cook you a meal. And I would love the change to torture you with my Wasps decorated bedroom."
"Ooh...I'd have to bring my wand and turn it all blue and silver." She grinned.
"Nah. I think you'll end up getting used to it."
"To black and yellow? It would give me nightmares." She smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder.
An Old Friend
Author: Josie
Date: 10-15-12 02:54
After taking my dog Foxy for a walk, I went back to my apartment. It was a wizarding residence, set in a muggle building. To the Muggles the building only had four floors, but if you looked carefully you would see a small staircase that would led to a fifth floor where I and another wizarding family lived. Of course such staircase was invisible to the muggles.
Everyone at the building thought I was Mrs. Baxter's niece who would come to visit her with frequency. Whenever they asked the middle age single lady of the fourth floor how her niece was doing she would reply with a smile saying she was doing fine. She had no idea they were referring to me, the woman who greeted them politely at the building's hall or at the elevator, and not to Mrs. Baxter's real nice that lived in France.
When I opened the door to my apartment I had a feeling something was wrong. I pulled the wand from my pocket, alert, as I walked inside. Foxy led the way and soon I heard someone protesting as my dog was barking.
"Can you make it stop?" said a familiar voice that belonged to my friend Connor.
I told Foxy to be quiet and the dog marched away from Connor, still looking suspicious. I knew Connor since my days at Hogwarts but we barely keep in touch after school ended. While I went to study alchemy at St. Emrys he had went aboard. He was a small wizard, with dark hair and blue eyes, with worn out dark blue robes, and his familiar square glasses. My first instinct was to smile and welcome him back to England but then my eyes noticed he had his hands on my mail that had been resting at my desk.
"You got yourself a teaching position at Hogwarts? That's very fancy, Josephine."
Connor didn't even try to hide the fact he had been scooping my stuff. He put the letter I received this morning back in its place. Like promised Dumbledore wrote to me and the letter announced that I got the job. We were going to meet again next week and I was really thankful for this opportunity. He had put his faith on me, and I was not going to disappoint him.
"What do you want?" I asked Connor. I did not like the fact he had break into my apartment nor the way he had been looking at my personal belongings.
"It has been a while; I thought we could have dinner together and catch up."
"And the best way to do so is to break into my home?"
I was holding my wand tight. Connor might have been a friend but it has been years and only Merlin knew what type of person he was now. He put his hands in the air trying to show me he didn't want to cause any harm.
"I needed to know if you were still interested in that little research we started together on the seventh year. So I came here to check it out, before approaching you. I didn't want to make a fool of myself."
My mind went back to the seventh year. Both Connor and I were already interested in the study of alchemy and in a very unrealistic way we wanted to create our own philosopher stone. Of course our research at the school library did not help much on how to obtain such stone and with the arrival of the N.E.W.Ts the research was suspended. I honestly didn't think about it anymore and as my studies proceeded at St. Emrys I knew how such object was better to stay in the past and only in the books. I looked back to Connor who continued:
"But apparently I see you have put that research aside."
"You didn't?"
"Of course not. I am going to create the second philosopher stone in the world. It is every alchemist's dream, isn't it? Since Nicholas Flamel is dead I cannot ask him how he did it, of course, but I think I gathered enough elements along these years to try and create my own."
"You are mad, Connor. You know how dangerous it can be to work on unknown components, to try and create something you have no idea how it's supposed to be. It is almost an impossible task."
He seemed offended and he declared in a low voice that he was hoping I could help him with this. That if our past friendship meant anything then I should at least listen what he had found out over this years and give him a chance to show me how this was not a mere conjecture and how he was one hundred percent sure he was able to pull this off.
"And then what? What will you do with the stone?" I asked him.
Connor seemed a bit surprised with the question. He sat on my sofa (without permission), and after touching his chin in a pensive way he declared he never really thought about it. It was clear he did not want the stone for power or glory. He just wanted to be able to create it: that was his main goal. However I still disliked this idea and I told Connor that I was not going to help him. If he still wanted to have that dinner then I wouldn't mind as long as the topic wouldn't be the philosopher stone.
"I guess we could do that," he finally said, standing up. He moved towards the door, trying to avoid Foxy who was still glaring at him. "I'll contact you soon, " Connor promised walking away. Foxy barked one last time.
I walked to the window but there was no sign of him. I guessed he would have used apparition to leave the building. I did some chores around the house, Connor still on my mind. Only a few hours later, after a good meal, when I was ready to pull a quill and a piece of scroll to write back to Dumbledore, I noticed the half opened drawer of my desk. I opened it with my wand and I could not help to swear out loud: my notebook with some of my own alchemical research was missing.
What Do You Think?
Author: Fionna
Date: 10-15-12 16:05
Hands cupping low on her back in a stance not uncommon to pregnant women Fionna does a slow, shuffling turn taking in the room. From the window he's just peered through Jericho Japes asks, "What do you think?"
"I think it's small."
"Does that mean you don't like it?"
"It means it's small, about the same size as my flat but more than twice the rent."
The postage stamp sized house is on such a small lot there's no yard to speak of so there isn't even that as a selling point. Jericho nods in understanding, moving from the window to take Fionna hand. They leave the tiny bedroom to take the few steps from there to the equally tiny sitting room where the Davies & Llewellyn estate agent waits. "The house has some nice features but it's very small and has no yard to speak of."
Connie Copperpot offers a smile. "No worries. The next on the list is roomier and quite airy and though the front yard is smallish the backyard is large."
Davies & Llewellyn has maintained both properties on the Floo Network so a little Floo powder for each and they are soon arriving one after the other in a somewhat spacious kitchen fireplace. As soon as Fionna emerges behind Connie she can see that the kitchen and what has probably been deemed a family room are on an open plan.
As soon as Jericho is there Connie starts pointing out the house's features. When they reach the first of the bedroom she explains, "There are three bedrooms and then a smaller, fourth room that may be used as an office or," eyeing Fionna's slightly more than sixth months along baby bump, "as it's just across from the master bedroom perhaps as a nursery and then later a play room."
After going over the salient selling points Connie does as she'd done before, moves off to give them time alone to confer and discuss. Jericho, nodding in the direction of a window overlooking the backyard, comments, "The backyard is as big as she said."
"The bedrooms are nice sized and the built in closets are fairly spacious." Fionna shuts the bedroom's closet door as she says this, turning to look at Jericho. "The price is within our budget but I do have to wonder if there's something wrong with the place to have this sort of room and that big backyard and the owner not asking more for it."
"So let's ask Connie about that."
Rejoining Connie they put the question to her. With a shake of her head she tells them, "As far as I know, there aren't any hidden problems. The owner doesn't want it sitting vacant for long so has tried to set a reasonable rent that would assure it gets snapped up. If you're interested in buying, he's willing to negotiate a price from the one listed which is," Connie double checks the housing information on her clipboard before reciting it to them.
Fionna asks, "How many other places did you have to show us today before you have to go meet your daughter's train?"
"Given the time I had thought perhaps one more. It's a flat but the complex has an enclosed park. It's very nice but doesn't have nearly the square footage this house has. If you want to see other properties later in the week, there are several within the price range you've given but, personally, I feel this is the best of them. The front yard isn't much but there is a bit of one and the backyard more than makes up for how small the front is. The bedrooms are goodly sized, the kitchen is fully equipped, there is a cellar and attic you've not yet seen."
Jericho looks to Fionna. She gives a slight nod so he tells Connie, "How about we see everything and forget that third place today?"
After the full tour that ends with another walk around the backyard Fionna says, "We'll let you know in the morning if we want to go with this house or see the other properties."
Connie smiles again. "If you decide on this one, I think you'll be happy but showing you other listings is no problem. If we aren't going to the flat I mentioned I will be on my way to King's Cross. We've a big celebration planned with Georgia and her friends and their families but I should be in the office at the regular time in the morning."
Jericho offers his hand to shake. "Enjoy the party and thank you for your time this afternoon."
Fionna and Connie exchange goodbyes then Connie apparates away. Pulling Fionna in close for an embrace, or as close as her bulging belly will allow, Jericho says, "Speaking of celebrations, when are you going to tell your mum?"
"I don't know. Maybe never if only to annoy her about it as long as possible."
Jericho laughs. "That might work for a little while but she'd find out eventually then give you holy hell for not telling her you finally said yes."
Leaning her head on his shoulder, Fionna hugs Jericho to her. "She would be a bloody irritant for years about it I'm sure so even though it will take away the fun of being as stubborn as she says I am, I suppose I will tell her sometime this week. You do realize, though, she will then insist on helping plan the wedding?"
Laughing once more he asks, "Is that really such a bad thing?"
"Hell yes." Fionna takes in the expression he's giving her and concedes, "Maybe not. She has good taste but don't be surprised if I tell her I want everything to be black and gray just to see her reaction."
"If you tell her that, you'll have my mum joining her." Jericho is laughing hard enough now he's practically snorting. When he catches his breath he suggests, "Let's talk about the house and what we want to do over dinner and maybe discuss a few wedding details, like a date. How about I treat you to your constant craving of late sesame chicken?"
Her sesame chicken craving is such that Fionna would eat it all day long and for snacks during the night and if there was a sesame chicken ice cream she'd eat that too. "I could go for some sesame chicken and let's get extra to take home."
Hand in hand they disapparate for their favorite Chinese restaurant, Fionna wondering if she's visibly drooling at the thought of a large serving dish of sesame chicken.
Getting Their Story Straight (Orion's Flat, London)
Author: Orion Howell
Date: 10-15-12 17:20
Orion crumpled up the paper from his bosses, knowing it would shortly destruct itself. He was relaxing in his home, waiting for Desi to arrive. Since they'd been notified around the same time, he figured she would be here shortly. The cover story the Ministry had sent was ridiculous, as usual.
"Who taught them how to sneak around? Bloody Gryffindors?" he muttered, a rare moment of allowing the nearly impenetrable shell about him to crack. Few people remembered him from Hogwarts, which was the way he liked it. And fewer still knew how long he'd been playing this game of penetrating those groups who would prefer to keep their secrets.
The door to the house crashed open and Orion looked up. Only one person could get through the wards, and that was the person the Ministry had assigned. Desi did not look happy about the assignment.
"If it makes you feel any better," he drawled. "This wasn't my idea either. It's what happens when you don't get the results the boss wants, even if those results are impossible to achieve."
Desi looked like she was about to laugh. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Besides," he added, "it could be worse. You could be stuck with someone awful, at least I'm, well, awesome."
"Conceited much?"
"Nope, just stating the facts as I see them. Have a seat so we can go over our cover story, cause what the Ministry provided is rubbish, and then I'll give you the tour." Orion smirked at her, half hoping she'd swat at him, but enjoying the banter just the same.
"What did the Ministry suggest?"
Orion told her and then shook his head. "Bloody idiots, no idea how to spin a plausible cover. I've been trying to decide if this one is the result of Gryffindors or Hufflepuffs. Neither of them have any concept of how to stay alive when it's necessary."
"Don't underestimate the Badgers, they are in the weasel family. So what are you thinking?"
"Okay, so they have to be Gryffindors then. And nothing complicated," he said, telling her his thoughts and watching as she nodded her head. "Just your everyday normal bit of genius." He filed the mental note away that she must've been a Hufflepuff. Which wasn't bad, after all, it was still better than a Gryffindor.
Happy Ending
Author: Ella
Date: 10-15-12 19:06
"We're getting close," Francis said, looking out at the cityscape that whipped passed the window. He and Ella had managed to get a compartment all to themselves, a rarity for a school as large as Hogwarts, but not impossible. It certainly helped that not every student had boarded the Hogwarts Express in Hogsmeade this morning.
"Good," Ella replied, pleased with the thought of soon stepping foot onto solid ground. "My butt feels numb."
Francis shot her an amused glance. "Want me to massage it?" He held up both of his hands and squeezed at the air.
She swatted his hands away. "No, thank you."
Francis laughed and dropped his arms to his sides. "Suit yourself."
The train gradually slowed down and then pulled into King's Cross Station, coming to a complete stop at Platform 9 3/4. The minute it did, the whole train sprung to life, with every student hauling trunks from the overhead shelving units and flooding the corridor. Everyone seemed in a big hurry to exit the Hogwarts Express. Inevitably, Ella and Francis were caught in congestion and couldn't immediately disembark the train.
Eventually, they reached the platform and made their way to the barrier that separated the magical part of King's Cross from the mundane. They didn't go through the barrier, however, expecting instead to meet their parents somewhere on the platform.
Ella didn't immediately spot her father. The Yaos were quick to find Francis, though. His mother hugged and kissed him repeatedly.
"Mum, do you have to do this now?" Francis complained, though Ella could tell he was enjoying the attention.
Mrs. Yao wiped lipstick from his cheek and said, "My little boy, a Hogwarts graduate."
Ella smiled. She hadn't given the fact that she was forever finished with Hogwarts much thought, at least not today. It didn't seem quite real.
Francis, with his arm around his mother, turned to Ella and said, "We'll wait for your dad."
She shook her head. "No, you don't have to. I'm sure he'll be here any minute. Go. I'll see you soon."
It felt a bit awkward to kiss Francis in front of his mother and father, but she did it, keeping it short and sweet.
The Yaos passed through the barrier a moment later. Ella, meanwhile, sat down on her trunk and looked around. The crowd was thinning, but there were still a lot of families gathered together on the platform. She watched mothers and daughters hug each other, watched as fathers put their arms around their sons. Everybody looked so happy.
And then she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. She looked up, expecting to see her dad, but she saw Zane instead. His hand clamped down on her shoulder and she felt something pointy and firm jab the middle of her back.
"You're happy to see me," Zane murmured, guiding Ella to her feet.
She wanted to scream, but for some reason she couldn't. The many people on the platform were so engrossed in each other to notice that something was amiss.
Zane slowly turned her around so that she had no choice but to look up into his face. His wand, hidden by the long sleeve of his robes, pressed into the center of her chest.
"You're happy to see me," Zane said again in a soft, soothing tone of voice.
A feeling of calm drifted over Ella then, starting in her chest and spreading to all her extremities. As soon as the feeling reached her fingers and toes, Ella forgot her fear and met Zane's gaze steadily. Then a smile spread across her face.
"I'm so happy to see you," she said.
It's My Life; Reflections on the Past
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 10-15-12 19:47
It had been a pretty quiet Sunday, Arley and Seb had spent the afternoon hanging out at Fallon and Fletcher's. After dinner they headed home to relax. Arley was currently perched on his favorite recliner, thinking about his past.
First, there was Sebastian, the love of his life. Arley couldn't help the smile that spread across his lips at the simple thought of Seb. It was amazing how fast time passed. Arley and Seb started dating when they were sixteen back at Hogwarts, they were twenty-five now. Almost nine years together (which included a few weeks when they had broken up at school.) Arlington and Sebastian were a solid couple today.
Then there was his friend Desdemona Diamond. They had known each other since they were kids. He and Desi had been through some rough patches over the years, which included Arley sleeping with her identical twin…Today though, they were on good terms again, and he really enjoyed hanging out with her.
After contemplating his relationship with Desi over the last several years, his mind wandered to his father. James Montgomery. The man who hated him, had kidnapped him and Fallon and mutilated Arley in the process. Sebastian had been scared from that as well, and still had nightmares when he received the package that contained Arlington's severed hand and wand. Ever since he came home, Seb had become slightly overprotective of Arley. He tried to remember that Mr. Montgomery sat in prison and posed little to no threat at the moment. Arley's frowned and thought to himself.
I jus' don't understand how anyone could hurt their own kids…Am I really a horrible person like he said I am? I know he disowned me 'cause I'm gay, but what he did goes beyond being mad at your kid's sexuality. Besides, Fal didn't do anything wrong. Unless he knew about her hooking up with Fletcher and havin' Crew. I still wish the jerk was dead instead of Mom.
His mother was a sore spot, Arley had to wipe a tear as he thought about her. She was one of the most amazing people, and didn't deserve to be killed. Arley had been there, the sole witness to her murder, and her case had never been solved. It honestly made Arley wonder, if his father could hurt him and his sister…what about his mother? He shuddered at the thoughts, and tried to forget about his worthless excuse of a father.
Then there was his big sister Fallon. Man has she sure changed. Never in a million years did I think she'd be married with two kids! He had to admit he had been shocked when he discovered Fal's secret family, but over time he really liked them. Etch was an awesome guy, and honestly he and Fal were perfect together. His nephews were wide open, but they were good kids for the most part.
Sebastian slipped over and wrapped his arms around Arley from behind, which pulled Arley from his current train of thought. "You are deep in thought. I did not want to bother you." He lightly kissed Arley's cheek.
"I was, thanks for breakin' me out of that, Sebby."
Seb nodded, "What's wrong, Arlington?" He was concerned as Arley was still frowning.
"You know me too well hon. It's nothing major, just been thinking about my past, and our past."
"Ah! That is both a mixture of good and bad then. Thinking about your father too?" Seb cringed as the word father, he despised that man.
Arley just nodded in response.
"You need to take a break from your thoughts! You could do some reading or work on that sketch you promised me? I have to go meet my friends now, or I am going to be late."
"Wha?"
Seb smiled at Arley's confused look. "You do remember that I have friends other you, right darling?" The tall Swede leaned down to lightly kiss his boyfriends lips. His smile broke into a grin.
"I still get that feeling, every time we kiss."
Arley smiled and nodded. He knew exactly what Seb meant. Their first kiss still brought chills. "I do too, ever since our first kiss in the locker room. That was the moment we really fell in love. I love you so much, Sebastian." He pondered a moment. "Oh that's right! You're meeting up with friends from your school back in Sweden. I forgot that was tonight."
"Yes, they are not in town for long and I haven't seen them in almost a decade. I love you too Arlington. I'll be home late, be good and get some rest."
The boys shared another kiss that lingered before Seb headed out to meet his old friends for dinner.
Arley sank back into his chair and summoned a beer from the kitchen. He couldn't help it as his thoughts consumed him again and he drifted to sleep.
Hours later, Arley was thrashing around in bed. His nightmares had returned, with a vengeance. He had been fighting them for years, ever since his mother died. He could see her killer this time, his face was still silhouetted, but it was clear. He could see his father. He relived the incident, he could see her lifeless on the ground, he couldn't save her. "NO!" Arley woke up in a cold sweat, his body tangled in the sheets. He rubbed his forehead, trying to shake the memory. Normally Sebastian would pull him into his arms and comfort him until he calmed down, but he wasn't home yet.
"That can't be. He wouldn't! I must be imagining things, it was so long ago…" Arley pulled his knees to his chest, he was still shaking. A nightmare hadn't been this vivid and felt this real in years. He attempted to get off the bed, but ended up falling off as his feet were still tangled in the sheets. He landed hard on the floor as his head struck the corner of the bedside table.
"I don't like this…" The usually confident young man sat hunched in the corner, shaking at the memories. This needed to be solved soon.
Just then Sebastian came home. "Arley? Are you asleep.." Sebastian stopped in his tracks when he caught sight of Arlington crouched in the dark corner of their bedroom, shaking like a leaf.
"Honey, what happened?" Seb frowned and moved beside Arley and wiped away the blood from a fresh cut on his forehead. "Did you fall out of bed again?"
Arley didn't move, he just sniffled and curled up into a tighter ball on the floor, though he noticed Seb's accent was slightly deeper after being around his friends from home, it had lightened slightly over the years the boys had been together.
"Sweetheart, come here." Seb laid down beside his boyfriend, and pulled him into his arms, attempting to comfort him. This was going to be a long night, no longer the peaceful day that had started.