(Untitled)

[aug_linusvaisey]

WHO: Ernie and Linus
WHAT: True colors and intentions show themselves.
WHERE: Classroom, Hogwarts Castle.
WHEN: After classes. 12-16-97.
STATUS: Incomplete.

PLEASE NOTE: The first portion of this post was completed in GoogleDocs.
His wand was at the ready, sweat glistened upon his unhaired upper lip. Linus narrowed his eyes only slightly

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[aug_linusvaisey]

Ernie sought to turn away, but with confident dominance, Linus reached out and turned Ernie's face back to look at him. "Look, I'm not into doing Michael Corner of all people any favors." The lucid pools of blue that were Linus' eyes narrowed, "We don't like each other, is putting it mildly- more on his end than mine. But lets say that I won't stick my neck out for him." In a moment, the steely gaze was gone, and replaced by a look that somehow oddly paralleled concern. "You are a different story. If you really want me to fuck you right now, then I'm game. I'm always game, male or female." Linus tilted his chin up just enough to convey his next point, his air aristocratically serious, "But all it will ever be between us is sex. I don't do emotion and I don't do romantic attachments. All I'll ever be to you is a mate helping out another mate."

Linus' face turned to a tilt, his eyes again narrowing, "Now, look me in the eye and tell me thats what you're really looking for." He leaned forward then, and gave Ernie another taste of what he desired by grinding his hips deeply, digging up against Ernie's source.

"I know you like this, and now so do you now. I'm not fucking with your head or toying with your emotions. But I am going to force you to open your eyes. I don't know how much longer I can stand watching you and Corner give each other love pats and sweet whispers and call it strictly platonic. Because its obvious to the rest of the perceptive world that... Merlin I'll say it- cares about your happiness- that you two should be unsuccessfully attempting to make babies at this point."

Linus only then sat up, staring into Ernie's eyes. His look was not angry, but reserved with seriousness trying to bite back his signature smirk, "Now... answer this question truthfully. If you had your choice, who would be sitting here. Me, or that bony-arsed Ravenclaw?"

[ernie_dt_mac]

The most overwhelming emotion Ernie felt at hearing Linus' words was... relief. Relief that there was some sort of method to Linus' madness, relief that he had such a friend who genuinely cared for his happiness, and more than any of that, relief that there would be no hurt feelings for either of them in the end. This was not some fancy on Linus' part that Ernie would have to reject, simply... comfort.

But along with that relief came the time for answering questions, and Ernie had been all too good at avoiding questions in the last few months. Now, however, Linus was not about to let him go with any hedging or outright avoidance. It was time to face it all head on.

"You're right," Ernie said softly, his voice a little choked with emotion. "I don't really know what I'm looking for, if I'm even looking at all, but I don't want something that's just physical. Even though it's tempting the Hades out of me right now," he added with a frustrated shudder.

Reluctantly, he thought further on what Linus had said, specifically on his own interactions with Michael. Even Hannah'd made mention of it a month earlier, though it was too soon after Megan for him to even consider her words. But now the pain was dimmed, and perhaps... could he have healed up enough to be ready to try again?

"I don't know," he finally said, shaking his head. "I just don't know. Am I attracted to him? I don't kn-" But he did know, didn't he. All of the time they spent together, the unconscious touches and camaraderie, the smiles whenever they met up, and the strenght of the pain when they hurt each other. "I... suppose I am," he replied with his shoulders lowering in surrender.

"But it's not that simple," he then argued. "I was nuts over Meg, but I couldn't get that to work. And he and I've both been hurt, it's maybe not time to try again. And he may just be affectionate - I'm not exactly desirable, you know, especially not lately - I've seen his type, and nobody could ever confuse me with Nott."

He closed his eyes, his insecurities now lying bare on the figurative table, and sighed. "Is that why you don't do romance and relationships? Because they're too complicated?"

[aug_linusvaisey]

It had been planted and watered. Its existence had been exposed to the sun. Now, Linus simply sat back and watched the petals unfold. The petals were Ernie's thought process, as he slowly unraveled his own thinking... his own emotions. He watched the Prefect drink of the truth like rays of warm light.

Perceptive eyes searched Ernie for the barest hint of lies, of self-deception, for it wasn't really Linus Ernie was talking to. He was divulging the truth to himself. Linus was just a convenient target- a physicality to aim words at. But he proved to be there for one other cause.

Physical support. The moment Ernie slumped in surrender, Linus snapped. "Head high. Shoulders back." He barely smiled, his look piercing his older friend, "Realization of what you are is not a surrendering offense, so I will thank you to sit up and take stock of what you have gleaned. You've done nothing wrong by admitting you want Corner, so why behave as such?"

A consideration of Ernie's point about Michael came to Linus, who continued his gaze unabated while he thought. It lasted only a few seconds. "How about this. He is a fool if he were to reject where I am sitting now. Tell me. Do you crush him with every moment you're angry? Elate him when you're in his presence?" Linus drew close, but not to an extremely intimate circle. "There's only one way to find out. You go right now and pick up something he likes. Am I in error that you were handing out flowers the other day? Did he take one? Either way- you go to him now and tell him how you feel, or you're but a cad."

"Because I'm afraid of what it will do to me..." This was Linus only answer, delivered with a squinted eye of uncertainty.

[ernie_dt_mac]

Ernie nearly smiled at Linus' instructions to sit up, only just resisting the urge to stick his tongue out at him as he did as he was told. He of all people should know about maintaining good posture... for the briefest of moments, he wondered if Michael knew how to dance.

"He likes white roses," Ernie answered immediately. "And beating me on tests, especially in Potions. And helping people..."

He shook his head. "I can't do that, not now, not without knowing more. I need to know if I'm ready for something like that. If he's ready. And even if it's all true, what if it still doesn't work again, and I'm less another friend?"

He paused at Linus' answer, wanting to comfort him in some way, yet not knowing how. "Meg said that, back when I was trying to convince her to give me a chance. Said she didn't want to be someone's girlfriend. She... she was right, she didn't like who she became. Maybe things like love and romance, they're not for everyone I suppose."

He chewed on his bottom lip a moment. "What if Michael figures that out too? What if there's something about me that makes people not like who they are when they're with me? He's one of my best mates, I couldn't do that to him."

[aug_linusvaisey]

This answer amused Linus very much, who actually lost control of his facade enough to give into a complete and unabashed snerk and smile. "Beating you at Potions? He's an easy lay then. Blow up the Potions classroom, you'll not be able to get enough vitamin C that week." Linus then actually released a warm, amused laugh. "Go with the flowers then. Get a bouquet and use it to sweep all those dead, dry books off his desk. Then declare in a loud, steady voice, 'I want you Michael Corner, and I'm tired of pretending otherwise.'" Linus leaned back against the table, propping on his elbows in amusement at this.

It as a short lived amusement though, while Ernie sought excuses and diplomacy. "Ernie, you have got to make an impression on him. Don't just smile at him in silent lucidity. I want you to grab him by the heartstrings, pull and demand he acknowledge your feelings. Don't just tell him. Inflame him. Make him want to rip every ounce of clothing off your body and take you on that desk there and then."

A sigh came. "Alright, if you must conduct your Reconnaissance..." An eyeroll came from Linus with the sigh but it was clear he was mostly jesting. "At least promise me you'll reconnaissance with some passion. Make him sit up and take notice."

"You're going to have to subvert all these concerns." Linus gestured, "Do you want him or not? How much more damage are you going to do to this relationship of yours if you do not act? For all you know, that... geek... wants you too. Your love play isn't committed by you alone, and Corner doesn't do that with any of his other mates."

[ernie_dt_mac]

Ernie didn't resist this time, and playfully mock-slapped Linus' head for his comment about the Potions class. "It may surprise you, but I've never worried about being romantic. Mum and Dad taught me well, as long as the target is receptive. Some people don't take well to that kind of thing, though... although Michael would. I even remember him saying he could out-romance me any day," he added with a chuckle.

"Inflame him? Passion? Merlin, Linus, I don't even know if I have any of that in me. It's easy for you, all you have to do is look at someone and lean in close, and they're mush in your hands. But me? I couldn't inflame him if he were flammable."

He glared at his friend for a moment. "Michael isn't a 'geek'. He's intelligent and thoughtful, and everyone always underestimates him, and... Bloody fucking Merlin, why do you have to be right?" he asked, resting his forehead against Linus' shoulder as he realized the way he was unnecessarily defending Michael. "All right, I'll think on it. I'll gather information, and make a plan, and... we'll see what happens."

[aug_linusvaisey]

"Very soon, you'll find out." Vaisey turned a smile easily, his look vaguely aristocratic with its arched brow and proud chin tilt. His pride and trust laid in Ernie now, his quiet absolution that Ernie could do this. It quietly bespoke its confidence, pushing Ernie to try without words and lingering with a taste of veiled disappointment if he did nothing. Still, Linus had done what he could. It was in the hands of Macmillan now.

The boy scoffed, "I do occasionally have that effect. As I'm sure you do when you properly flex the right muscle. Dress it up a bit. Look sexy for him. You'll have him rapt."

Another unguarded chuckle, "Oh Hades, you really do have it bad." Once Ernie removed his head, Linus thought it prudent to withdraw from Ernie's lap. He stood as graceful as he had come into it, fixing his collar once back upon the ground.

[ernie_dt_mac]

Ernie smiled back, feeling the confidence Linus had in him. He knew what Linus expected of him, but he would still have to think on it if he was to make either of them proud.

"Sexy? I haven't looked sexy a day in my life. But if Michael does feel the way you think he does, then he's probably accepted me, unsexiness and all. I can do wizard posh, however," he added with a touch of arrogance. "But he is Muggleborn. I wonder if he'd be more impressed with some Muggle get-up?"

Once Linus' comforting heat and weight were gone from his lap, Ernie felt cold and a little bereft. He looked down and spotted a familiar silver and green tie lying on the floor next to his foot, and thus he bent down to pick it up, reaching up again to offer it to Linus. "Now this I believe it yours," he said, a blush staining his cheeks as he thought of how the tie came to lie there, of what he and Linus had been doing until just a few moments ago.

[aug_linusvaisey]

Normally, such words would have sent a member of the Squad into action. Linus was intrigued by Ernie's ability to bald-faced admit to Michael's lineage. Or at least how he apparently grew up. But this was Linus, and if he had but one fault, it was his apathy towards Voldemort's cause. He happily worked within the system- even prospered- but while the image of Michael in Azkaban was pleasing, it tasted ultimately bitter.

Damn these emotional connections, Linus thought in lighthearted fashion. He couldn't bring down Michael, because it would most certainly devastate Ernie. "I'd encourage his wizarding side, in the wake of politics." Linus suggested, "He's been declared loyal, so its our responsibility to see that he is integrated smoothly into society. We have to help him adapt. Granted, fashion will hardly land you in Azkaban, but who can deny the mystery of a man in a properly fitted robe and outfit?"

Linus sighed, his eyes upon Ernie with discernment, his eyes finally dropping, "Sadly I know little of Muggle fashion, so I wouldn't know what to model for him. In case you go that route."

Picking the tie from Ernie's grasp, Linus slid the silk like a snake from between his fingers until it came away. "Certainly has the colors I'm used to, doesn't it." Linus bent over and retrieved Ernie's tie then.

[ernie_dt_mac]

"You're right," Ernie nodded. "Or at least give the impression that he's integrating. That should hopefully save him from some of the backlash. I admit, I keep forgetting that not everyone sees him and my other friends like I do, that some people will judge them wrongly because of their parents and background. Merlin, I still keep forgetting what we found out about Michael's grandfather - I did call him Muggleborn again, didn't I."

Ernie snickered, feeling a little silly. "Or maybe I should just show up at Ravenclaw Commons in my kit with a blue and yellow bow around my chest. That should work for both wizard and Muggle elements, I'd say."

Ernie accepted his tie back, then stood up, feeling more than a little bashful considering what had almost happened here between the two of them. "Thanks, mate. Um, about a few minutes ago, and all this," he said with a wave of his hand. He then self-consciously began re-doing the buttons of his shirt. "We're still mates, right? We're not going to get weird about things?" Please, Merlin, I hope not.