August 25 - WWW

[reservekeeper]

Oliver got out of practice a bit early. They'd worked hard and he'd begged off going to the weight room after lunch. He'd flooed home and his mother had told her he needed to speak to her. He'd never made such a request and she seemed shocked, but had agreed, albeit reluctantly

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[gredisfred]

Fred conjured flowers and handed them to her, offering her his hand as well. "It's an honor to meet you Mrs. Wood. Thank you so much for having me." He wanted to shuffle his feet and look at the floor. Fred didn't get nervous. Ever. But this was Oliver's Mum, and he wanted her not to hate him."

[reservekeeper]

She shook his hand and accepted the flowers. "Thank you. I'll just put these in water. It's nice to meet you as well."

Oliver squeezed Fred's hand and led him into the kitchen behind his mother. "Sit down," he told him, and offered a smile as he went to make the tea at the stove.

Elizabeth put the flowers into a vase and filled it with water before sitting down across from it.

"What brings you by today, Oliver? You said there was something you needed to tell me. I hardly need to approve of your private life, you know?"

"I know," he said, bringing cups to the table. "But I thought you'd like to know I'm getting married. We're getting married. I wanted you to meet Fred."

She watched her son for a moment, emotionless as he poured the tea for them. "I see," she said quietly. "You know your father won't approve."

Oliver shrugged. "I don't care. It's not for him to approve."

She nodded again and lifted her cup to her lips, her eyes going to the clock for a moment. "So... Fred. What is it that you do for a living?"

[gredisfred]

Fred took his cup and spun it in his hands. "Yes, Ma'am," he said. "My brother and I own a joke shop in Diagon Alley. It's fairly successful. We make things for the Ministry, as well, shield clothing and things." He wasn't trying to brag but he didn't want Oliver's Mum to think that he was marrying her son for his money.

[reservekeeper]

Oliver grinned as he sat down. "They've done well for themselves. I'm marrying a rich man, mum."

"You're well enough off yourself," she pointed out, sipping her tea and looking at Oliver. "You seem happy."

"I am," he said, smiling and squeezing Fred's knee. "I think the wedding is going to be around the new year."

Elizabeth nodded. "Where are you planning on living?"

[gredisfred]

Fred looked at Oliver and knew that what he felt for him would be written all over his face. He made no attempt to hide it. The hand on his knee was covered and squeezed.

"We're looking at houses, something near London but out a bit." He looked back at Mrs. Wood. "He's brilliant, your son. He's brilliant and talented and kind and I plan to spend the rest of my life trying to make him happy." And that was probably too much information, but it was true and Fred had never been known for his tact.

[reservekeeper]

Amused, despite herself, she smiled at Fred. "I'm sure you will. You seem to be doing a fine job already. I can't remember the last time I've seen him so relaxed."

She looked back at Oliver and grew serious. "You father will have to be told."

"I'll do it," he said at once, nodding at her. "Soon. You won't have to keep it a secret very long. I wouldn't have asked you to at all, but I wanted a chance to tell you myself, and he'd have never allowed it once he found out."

"Yes," she agreed. "I do appreciate it." She looked at Fred. "It is nice to know who my son is marrying." She glanced back at Oliver. "I dont' think taking him to meet your father would be a good idea."

"I'm not stupid," he said, rolling his eyes. "Fred wants to see baby pictures. Do we have any?"

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow and nodded. "I have a few. Your father keeps most of them in the attic. There are a few in the family album in the sitting room."

She excused herself and retrieved it opening the book and placing it in front of Fred.

[gredisfred]

Fred watched their interaction. It was so... well, 'cold' wasn't precisely the right word, but there was no real affection, no in-jokes or ease. It was more like a business meeting than a visit with Mum. When talk turned to Oliver's father, Fred's gut clenched hard. He kept everything off his face.

Once the album arrived he let the mask drop, instantly captivated by a blond baby who slept silently. Fred ran a finger over the picture, imagining he could feel the silken skin. He moved on to wave at a curly-haired toddler, to smile a the young boy on a pony. There was a picture of a team of young Quiddith players with Oliver in the back, looking tense. There weren't many pictures, a scant dozen in all but Fred wanted to clutch them to his chest and take them home. He laughed aloud when he found one stuck in the back - it was a picture of their team, Oliver holding the Quidditch cup and beaming.

"Look, Keeper," Fred said pulling Oliver close. "I've been here all along."

[reservekeeper]

Oliver cringed at a few of the photos and then smiled at the one with Fred in it. "Course you have been," he said happily, winking at photo Fred.

Elizabeth nodded toward the album. "I can't give those to you, he'd notice. And they'll likely... he won't allow them to stay there. But the one's in the attic, if I get up there before you tell your father, I'll send a few alone." She looked at the clock. "You likely shouldn't stay long."

Oliver nodded. "Thanks, mum. We won't keep you. Just in case." He finished off his tea and squeezed Fred's leg. "You want to see my room?" He looked back at his mother's frown. "I'll make it quick, mum."

[gredisfred]

Fred got to his feet. "Please ma'am. I'd love some pictures. I know it's presumptuous, but I love him very much. We won't get you in trouble. Promise."

Fred took Oliver's hand. "I'd love to see your room."

[reservekeeper]

Elizabeth sighed. "All right. Oliver, the box is up in the window seat. Just pick out a few, all right?"

"Sure," he said, standing as well and clearing the tea cups with a wave of his wand. He made sure to put them back where they were. and he looked at the flowers.

"These all right to leave?" he asked her.

She looked at them thoughtfully. "Probably. We have most of those in the garden."

"Okay." He took Fred's hand and led him up the stairs.

"This is it," he said, opening the door. There wasn't much in his old room. Just a bed, a wardrobe, a dresser. The curtains were still the same. "Hang on, let me grab the box."

He ran up to the attic, taking the stairs two at a time, and then bounded back down, dropping the box on the bed as he walked back into the room. "Pick out a few and I'll take it back." He hugged Fred from behind as his lover looked around. "You all right, love?"

[gredisfred]

Fred had been wandering around the room. It was cold, just like everything else in this house. There was not a thing out of place and nothing to make it look as though it had ever been lived in. He'd crawled under the bed, looking for secret hiding places but was standing again when Oliver returned.

He turned immediately in his arms and kissed him hard. "I am. Give me that box." He kissed him one more time and then snatched it, sitting on the floor, opening it up and flipping quickly through the pictures. Fred moved quickly, finding a copy of the smiling baby and the curly toddler and several others. There was one that showed only Oliver's back, body curled into a corner and Fred slipped that one behind the rest before his lover could see. He made short work of the box, being careful not to take everything - leaving the team pictures, the ones with tropheys, and taking a selection of others.

He shrunk them and slipped them into his pocket then moved gracefully to his feet and handed it back. "Here. Hurry."

[reservekeeper]

Oliver was pleasantly suprised by the kisses and then the box was being taken away from him and Fred leaned over it, hiding from view the pictures he was taking.

"Don't take any embarrassing ones," he mumbled, going to look out the window. It was likely the last time he ever would. He wasn't really sad about it though, and he did have his sketches.

He took the box once Fred was finished and placed it back in it's spot before coming back downstairs. "Ready?" he asked, drawing Fred against him. "Let's tell mum bye and I'll let you see the stream before we apparate back."

[gredisfred]

Fred could feel the melancholy. He moved behind Oliver, pulling him close against his chest. They turned in a slow circle. "I was a fool not to bring my camera." He kissed Oliver's neck and drank in the scent of him, hoping that he could be worth all that Oliver as giving up for him.

"I love you. Everything about you. Thanks for letting me meet your Mum." He kissed him again, and took his hand. "Lead the way, Captain."

[reservekeeper]

Oliver smiled. "I don't need a camera. I'll remember, and what I forget will be worth forgetting." He tipped Fred's face back and kissed him deeply. "You're welcome. And I love you too

[gredisfred]

Fred had watched the whole exchange with his heart in his throat. He couldn't imagine his mother ever telling him Goodbye.

He smiled at Oliver's mother and would have told her to please let them know if she ever needed help, but he'd been fairly certain he'd not be able to get the words out.

Fred nodded, smiling at Oliver when he mentioned the stream. Maybe he could make him smile. "Please," he said softly.

[reservekeeper]

Oliver led him around the house, pulling him along a bit quicker as they passed the cellar door. It was stupid, he knew, but he couldn't help it.

Once they crossed the apparition wards, he slid his arm around Fred's waist, looking back at the house and then at his lover. "Hey, it's okay. Honest. I love my mum... and she'd have been a good mum, if it wasn't for him. I think. But I mourned her a long time ago. Really."

He squeezed Fred to him and nudged his hip with his own. "I want to see what pictures you knicked, too. Did you get the one of me the day I got into the blueberry preserves? I looked like a potions experiment gone awry."

As they walked, the sound of the stream grew louder the closer they got. "You're okay? I just don't want you to be too disappointed. I think she liked you. How could she not?"