Nextgen Fic!
Author/Artist: mabonwitch
Title: Chasing Down the Clues
Rating: NC-17
Word Count ~4000
Pairing(s): Teddy/James
Warnings: public sex, completely made up Auror procedures, artistic license with James' age (he is three years older than canon here)
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: Auror partners Teddy Lupin and James Potter team up.
Author/Artist's Notes: Thanks to leashy_bebes for giving this a look and smoothing out a few silly errors, and the excellent marguerite_26 and all the other folks at the GSD post. It helped! Written for the 2011 hp-nextgen-fest
James closed the door behind him with a sigh. It was getting more difficult. Living with Teddy had been a pleasure at first; a perfect blend of moving out and the camaraderie he'd had at Hogwarts. Teddy had been in his last year of junior Auror training when James entered the force, and it had seemed logical to get a flat together when Teddy broke it off with his latest boyfriend.
It had worked. The friendship they'd shared at Hogwarts and occasionally over a family holiday had solidified into something better. Teddy had caught him looking at McAlister's arse in his second year of training and raised a mischievous eyebrow. James had blushed (damn Weasley genes) and grudgingly admitted to maybe, possibly, being bisexual. Teddy had smirked and taken him out to a gay bar. Which, well, had cleared that right up.
It would've been fine if it weren't for the Hallway Incident. James thought of it that way, with ominous capitals. It wasn't like he didn't know that Teddy had sex. They shared a flat, for fuck's sake. And, OK, so James had a surreptious wank now and then when Teddy forgot a silencing charm. But he hadn't really thought of Teddy as sexy.
Except then one night he'd been at the club and had unwisely gone looking for Teddy. Who, it turned out, had been fucking some guy's mouth in a darkened hallway at the back of the club. James had rounded the corner just as Teddy came. His hair had streaked gold and he'd tangled a hand in his partner's hair and…
And James hadn't been bloody well able to get that image out of his head since. He had backed down the hall right quick that night and waited for Teddy to emerge. He still didn't know if Teddy had seen him but James hadn't been able to act quite normal since, so he suspected Teddy had figured it out.
That had been three months ago, when they'd gone out to celebrate James graduating to full Auror and being assigned Teddy's partner. Their teamwork on the job was impeccable. Off the job…well, there had been two more awkward attempts to go to the club, both of which had ended in them going home alone.
James shook his head and opened the doors of his wardrobe. Their latest case was going nowhere. The "Poor Man's Thief", as the Prophet had dubbed him, remained as hidden as ever. James felt like an iron ball had set up camp in his stomach every time he thought of the poorest denizens of the magical world losing what little they had to that bastard. Wedding rings, carelessly discarded on the job or thrown during the heat of an argument, were a particular favorite of their thief. The emotional devastation that followed discovery of the loss left James sick. He knew Teddy was losing sleep over it, too. They needed to relax. James was determined, this time, not to let his own anxiety get in the way. There was a new club open, La Mecca, and they were going.
And if he reached instinctively for his date clothes, that was his business, wasn't it?
**
James couldn't help staring at the long line of Teddy's throat as he swallowed a shot. And it was a fucking long line because Teddy wasn't wearing much more than sparkles and some sort of glamour on his top half. It gave the impression that if you just stared hard enough, you would see through it, while never quite revealing nipples or abs.
Teddy slammed the shot glass back onto their table and leaned back, arms resting wide along the booth's back. He laughed and smiled broadly at James. "Gonna get another," he shouted over the music. "You want something?"
James considered. He'd already had two beers, and while he'd managed some supper earlier, he didn't want to get drunk on a weeknight. He shook his head. "Just some coke, thanks."
Teddy nodded and hoisted himself up. James followed his arse, encased in clinging denim, until it was out of sight. He closed his eyes with a sigh. Well, Teddy certainly seemed to have forgotten their assignment, at least temporarily. And James was too busy dealing with his attraction to think properly, much less focus on something work-related. He supposed that was success of a sort.
It seemed like only a second before Teddy re-appeared, drinks in hand. James definitely had not drunk enough for his head to be spinning like this. Teddy didn't sit, swallowing his shot in two long gulps. James gave him a curious look, sipping at his coke. Was Teddy trying to get drunk? He didn't have much time to ponder, though, before Teddy grabbed his hand. "Come dance, Jamie," he said, bright-eyed and affectionate.
James snorted. There were four people he'd let get away with calling him by his nickname: his parents, Lils, and Teddy. Anyone else trying to call him Jamie got a blackened eye for their trouble. But he really couldn't resist Teddy like this, all happy and loose, so he let himself be maneuvered out onto the dance floor.
Maybe he was a little tipsy. Or maybe it was the club: dancing here was mostly sex standing up. Or maybe it was Teddy, who, dammit, had always moved like he was made of liquid steel, fluid and sharp. The strobe lighting revealed him in splotches of color, everything flexing in ways that dragged James' mind straight into the gutter. James, who had always been a slightly awkward dancer, wasn't even aware of his body, just that he wanted closer. The music was swamping everything, strangling any rational part of his brain under loud pounding and instinct.
His hand was on Teddy's hip. James wasn't quite sure how it got there, but he could feel himself panting. All he could think was More. He looked up and caught Teddy's eyes, pupils wide and dark, lips parted. Teddy brought a hand up and ran it over James' bicep, let his hand cling there.
That was enough for James. He lurched forward until they were pressed together, Teddy slick with sweat. Teddy smiled at him, somewhere between the predatory look he gave bed partners and happiness. Something tightened and settled in James' stomach. "Mmm," he said. He licked his bottom lip deliberately, watched Teddy track the movement. Around them, one song faded into another.
Teddy tilted his head back, caught his eye, and rolled his hips to the beat. James choked, feeling every inch of Teddy against him, brilliant and hot. Some animal part of his brain woke up and he snarled. James tightened his grip and flexed his hips against Teddy's. The music jolted through his bones and drowned any words, pushing his hips forward aggressively. He'd started this, dammit. He would bloody well end it. Teddy met his gaze for awhile, challenging, until James moved his hand to Teddy's lower back and shifted him around. The next beat brought their groins into contact, let Teddy feel the pulse in his cock. James held him there and moved, a sensuous circling that changed what they were doing from dance to something else entirely. Teddy's head dropped back. With a surge of triumphant lust, James leaned forward and bit into Teddy's bared neck. This close, he could hear him whine.
Fuck, he thought, am I really gonna do this? Because James didn't want to move, not to the flat, not even as far as a back hallway. He just wanted Teddy, rocking against him, right fucking now. Teddy didn't seem to have any objections, either, letting out small bursts of sound as James licked up his neck and lingered on his earlobe. He dropped his hand to Teddy's arse, taking a hungry moment to feel the shape of it before he guided Teddy into the rhythm he wanted. Teddy felt good, sliding up against him, their cocks rubbing right through their trousers. The music screamed and James screamed with it, orgasm rushing up like a train going too fast on its tracks. Teddy tangled his free hand in James' hair, tugged him into a kiss, and that was it. With a low, helpless moan, James came. His mouth went slack and lazy as he felt Teddy's kiss grow fierce, urgent. Teddy shuddered, and James could feel, fuck, he could feel Teddy come, the wet heat of it, right through their trousers.
Everything after that was a blur: Apparating home, cleaning up, even the second hot time, Teddy's mouth wrapped around him, was nothing more than Christ and Teddy, fuck.
And when that was over, Teddy drew back and said, "James. I've got it."
**
It was somewhere between flattering and annoying that sex had apparently made the pieces of their case click together in Teddy's head. But there it was: they'd ended up with a file spread out all over the floor at three am, excitement mounting. It was right there once they knew where to look. Carlson, who was supposedly a witness to one in a string of robberies, had said something in his statement, something that had simmered in the back of Teddy's brilliant brain. Carlson had seen a light- but, Teddy pointed out, the light that was on at the scene was in a back bedroom, and Carlson's flat was below the victim's. No way he could've known. A second look at reports from the other scenes showed several people witnessing 'a blond man' who could well have been Carlson in the area the day of the thefts. It hadn't blipped their radar before because asking if anyone had noticed anything strange in the sorts of areas where the thefts were taking place wasn't likely to garner any useful results.
They showed up early at the office the next day and got permission to do some digging. A little legwork got them files on Carlson - Patrick Rupert Carlson, age 31, one prior offense. Drugs. He worked part time delivering liquor to assorted bars, had little money in the bank, and there was a nasty rumour about his gambling habits.
After that, it was easy to get a warrant to search his house. A small team, including Teddy and James, opened it right up and found what they wanted. Fifty Galleons stuffed haphazardly under a couch cushion, an array of clothes that suggested either a very eclectic fashion sense or disguise, and three wedding rings, one of which they ID'd on sight as Marla Hopkin's, who'd reported it stolen a week ago.
When they made it back to the Department, Teddy and James were given the job of busting Carlson. "Be careful," Harry warned, a worried frown on his face. "He's backed into a corner; could be dangerous."
James nodded, serious. "Yes, sir."
Harry gave him a brief, strained smile and left them to get on with it. James turned, vibrating with nerves. This was their first big bust. "Right," he said, breathing out carefully. "Supplies?"
Teddy nodded and they walked down the hall to the Aurors' supply room. James shot off the security code automatically, waiting for the 'ping' that meant he'd been registered as an Auror and supplied the correct code. The light on the door changed to orange and Teddy stepped up to verify his half of their partner code. The doorway outlined itself in a bright green and was opened by a senior Auror - Wenther, James thought. The woman held a wand on them with calm professionalism. "Names and case?"
"Auror James Potter, case #1381-AO-4Z, partner Auror Theodore Lupin," James answered for both of them.
The Auror wrote something on a scroll with her free hand, eyes steady on them both. A moment later, it glowed and she lowered her wand. "Access granted," she said.
James passed the doorway, Teddy right behind him, and watched it seal up again. The Auror tucked her wand away and resumed guarding, paying them no further attention. Teddy cocked his head. "I don't think we'll need explosives or tech, do you?"
James blushed. "I was thirteen when I told you I wanted to grow up to be James Bond," he protested. "I know better now!"
Teddy grinned, and they moved toward the lighter artillery. James scanned down the row and chose a second wand and picked up some battle robes as well. They would deflect some hexes. He pondered over footwear; he might need extra speed, but he was good with a fleetfoot charm, so perhaps not. Stealth? He shot a longing look at the invisibility rack. James shook his head. The whole point was to be visible. He probably had all he needed. He felt a brief pang of disappointment; no playing with the big toys today.
Teddy was finished as well. He had chosen a pair of speed boots in addition to battle robes and a wand. He gave James a slightly exasperated look and went to the Potions stores to pluck two healing potions apiece down. James flushed; he should have remembered that. How many times in training had they been told to think about after the bust? He accepted them silently and sat to check his robes. No loose threads, and the protection seemed solid throughout. He shrugged into the robe and watched Teddy cast several spells with his back-up wand.
"Compatibility?"
Teddy nodded. "Positive."
James took out his own wand and repeated Teddy's process. "Back-up compatible," he reported. James picked up the potions and slid them into their compartment on his robe. With a brisk shake, he ascertained that they would stay put and lightweight. "Potions secured," he added.
Teddy shook out his robe. "Battle robes standard and potions secure." With deft movements, Teddy shook back his sleeve and James took the proffered arm holster. He wrapped it around Teddy's forearm and cinched the two buckles tight, the worn leather fitting like a glove. Teddy slid his extra wand into it experimentally, then nodded his approval.
His nerves were fading as adrenaline continued to pump into him. The feel of Teddy's fingers tightening James' wrist holster left James focused. Everything seemed bright and clear and he felt the world slow around him. He'd heard this described, once, as battle mode.
Suited up, he and Teddy headed out.
**
Patrick Carlson was unloading cases of Ogden's Firewhisky out the back of the Tusk and Boar when they caught up to him. James let Teddy take the lead, approaching without fanfare along the alley. When they were a standard meter away, Teddy caught Carlson's eye and said, "Patrick Carlson? The Aurors have a few questions for you."
The man turned away with a sneer, keeping his wand on the heavy case he was moving. "Yeah," he grunted, "well too bad. Don' got nothin' to say to the likes of you."
Teddy withdrew a packet of papers from his robes. "We have here a warrant for your arrest-"
They got no further as Carlson let the case drop with a crash and Apparated away. James drew his wand and had the Apparation traced in the time it took Teddy to put the papers back. Holding firm to his wand, James grabbed Teddy's arm and said, "Ready, and-"
With a flash, they were elsewhere, dropping into a crouch and scanning. James had time to take in a crowded street and the smell of fish before Teddy spotted the Apparation trail and pulled them forward. They landed this time by a seedy storefront that looked like it belonged in Knockturn Alley. Carlson was a good six shops down from them and moving fast. Drawing his second wand, James began to run, casting the fleetfoot charm mid-step to match Teddy. They had halved the distance when Carlson ducked down an alley.
Auror training paid off, then. James' legs stretched to open his stride, breathing deep and even, charm making him near-silent. Teddy paced him in his speed boots as they trailed their thief. The alley turned out to be a tunnel, buildings built right over the top of it. It was darker but less crowded and they could hear the sound of running footsteps quite clearly. Carlson pelted into a rundown bar just ahead of them. Teddy made a quick circling motion with his hand. James moved off to the left and began a circuit of the building, doing his best not to look at whatever he was stepping in as he moved. The smell of trash and piss wafted up, a single sour note in the thousand details he absorbed as he moved. There were no visible weapons, no suspicious people watching the back of the pub. A single window was boarded over, low on the right, secured with heavy wood and too many nails. It took less than a minute - James had always been a fast runner - for him to circle back to Teddy, shaking his head to let him know there was no back door.
"No Apparation," Teddy whispered. That took care of one problem, James supposed. They retreated slightly to get a good vantage point of the entrance and keep themselves out of sight. It would be stupid to rush the building; Carlson could be anywhere and might have allies in there. But they also couldn't stay out here.
"Floo?" James questioned, turning his head to look at Teddy. His breathing was slowing but he could suddenly feel every bit of air between him and his partner. They were tucked close together against the tunnel's mossy wall and James could smell Teddy, sweat and musk. The sharp edges of battle readiness were making his vision tunnel. Adrenaline, some part of his brain noted dimly. For a crazy moment, James wanted nothing more than to shove Teddy up against the wall and snog him senseless.
Teddy's shoulders were tight as they rose and fell in a shrug. "Maybe."
Maybe? They were in the middle of- oh! The Floo. Right. James shook his head briskly. Raising his wand, he cast a quick spell. "Nothing for the first two meters," he reported. Unfortunately, he couldn't see past that.
Teddy's lips pressed together in a thin line. "Give me five seconds to clear the door, then follow."
James didn't like it. It was still probably the best move. He readied both wands. "Go." He watched Teddy race up the steps and slide in the door. There was no immediate sound of calamity. James forced himself to count to five, muscles tense, before he followed.
The bar was sparsely populated, patrons caught in various poses of surprise. There was, indeed, a Floo in the corner but it didn't seem to have been used. Carlson was nowhere in sight. "We'll have to search the premises," Teddy was saying. The bar tender didn't appear to like the sound of that. With a mute jerk, instead, he indicated the door to the kitchen behind him. "We'll start upstairs," Teddy continued blithely, even as he moved to back James as they moved for the kitchen.
Carlson was the only one there, back to them as he faced a second, unregistered Floo. If he managed to travel through, there would be no tracing him. Carlson turned as they entered, jerking, and swore. He tried desperately to throw the handful of Floo powder. James cast Expelliarmus and a flame-quenching hex simultaneously, while Teddy stunned Carlson. Moments later, Carlson was neatly tied up and a search turned up nothing more dangerous than another wedding ring. James panted, unable to believe it was over.
Teddy straightened up and grinned. "Good job," he said. "Let's take him in."
**
The chase left Teddy in high spirits and he tore through the necessary report. It was less than an hour later that he and James were able to leave. Teddy was still loose-limbed with adrenaline, cracking jokes as he and James stumbled into their flat. The second the door closed behind him, Teddy gave James his best challenging grin. James, thank Merlin, knew exactly what he meant and wasted no time backing Teddy into the door.
The kiss was searing, all tangled possession and fight. Teddy laughed into it and sucked James' lower lip. He could push back, egg James on. And that might be fun, some time. Right now, though, Teddy really wanted nothing more than to let James do whatever he wanted. Preferably naked.
Teddy tugged James' shirt out of his trousers and ran his hands up the back. He made a soft, approving noise at the feel of bare skin. James put a hand in his hair and tugged a little. Teddy obediently let his head be moved to the side and was rewarded with sharp nips down his throat. James ended at his collarbone and Teddy shuddered.
James looked wicked when he drew back. "Hmm." He eyed Teddy. "Off," he ordered, waving at Teddy. Flushed, Teddy pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor, pleased when James did the same. Apparently James wasn't done just yet, though. He leaned right back in and set his teeth to Teddy's shoulder again.
"Oh." Teddy blinked, heat rushing through him in a wave. "Oh. Oh, fuck, James." His head thunked back into the door and his hips arched. "Please."
James grabbed him by the belt and tugged. "Bed," he said hoarsely. Teddy nodded and stumbled along, glad it wasn't far to his room. James pushed him onto the bed and kicked off his boots. Teddy watched, dazed, as James undid his belt and fly, pushing the Auror-red trousers down his legs. He wasn't wearing anything under them.
Teddy had exactly the same reaction he'd had the first time he'd seen James like this; his mouth began to water. James had the loveliest cock, flushed and heavy, curving up against his belly. James gave him a hot-eyed look, saying without words that he'd seen Teddy looking. He fell to his knees in front of Teddy. "Useless, Lupin," he said, voice breathless and amused. Teddy meant to ask what he was laughing at but in the next instant, James was thumbing his nipples, mouth sliding over his neck just a little too high for what he wanted. Teddy whined. James set his teeth lightly in Teddy's neck, sending Teddy arching futilely upward.
James huffed a laugh, and even that wrenched a cry from Teddy, then pulled at Teddy's trousers and pants. The minute they were at his knees, James moved his mouth and the feel of teeth on his collarbone made Teddy lose all speech. His hands clenched in the bedspread until James pushed him back. He wordlessly wriggled onto the bed, letting James pin him with his weight. They kissed again, hot and messy. James tore his mouth away. "God. Teddy, I want-"
Teddy whined again, a high, needy sound. He squirmed away, moving until he was on his belly, then his knees. He widened his legs as far as he could with his trousers confining them. Behind him, he heard James say, "Fuck," and the scrabble that was probably lubricant sliding out of a drawer somewhere. He felt shaky and exposed, but that didn't come anywhere near to stopping the heat. Slick fingers traced a quick line down his arse before stopping and pressing gently. Teddy breathed out. He let his head fall forward as James slid a finger in.
This was always so consuming. Being fucked open, a finger at a time, had always turned Teddy into a mess. And now it was James, James who he trusted for anything, James who had his back and was busily moving two fingers into Teddy. Teddy clenched and listened to James' breathing stutter. Those clever fingers retaliated, moving deep and rolling across his prostate. Teddy's arms quivered and gave out, leaving him face first in the mattress. James, the bastard, laughed.
James must have been nearing his own limits, though, because it was less than a minute later that he drew his fingers out. Teddy waited, strung out with eagerness, and closed his eyes in bliss when he felt James' cock pressed against him. He was impressively slow entering Teddy, sending Teddy all but melting through the bed. He managed to get a hand under himself, though, wrapped around his cock. James groaned. The pace sped until each jolt made Teddy tighten his hand and moan. James made sharp little sounds as his hips snapped forward, faster and faster. Just when Teddy thought he couldn't take it anymore, James pressed deep, going silent and coming. Biting his lip, Teddy let go, the relief of his orgasm stealing sound and sight for a moment.
When he could breathe again, he tilted sideways, James slumped bonelessly beside him. "Mmm," Teddy managed. James twisted a corner of bedspread and wiped clumsily at both of them before tossing an arm over Teddy and cuddling close. His eyes fluttered closed and he drifted off to the feel of James pressing a kiss to the nape of his neck. Everything else could wait.
Fin
Title: Chasing Down the Clues
Rating: NC-17
Word Count ~4000
Pairing(s): Teddy/James
Warnings: public sex, completely made up Auror procedures, artistic license with James' age (he is three years older than canon here)
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: Auror partners Teddy Lupin and James Potter team up.
Author/Artist's Notes: Thanks to leashy_bebes for giving this a look and smoothing out a few silly errors, and the excellent marguerite_26 and all the other folks at the GSD post. It helped! Written for the 2011 hp-nextgen-fest
James closed the door behind him with a sigh. It was getting more difficult. Living with Teddy had been a pleasure at first; a perfect blend of moving out and the camaraderie he'd had at Hogwarts. Teddy had been in his last year of junior Auror training when James entered the force, and it had seemed logical to get a flat together when Teddy broke it off with his latest boyfriend.
It had worked. The friendship they'd shared at Hogwarts and occasionally over a family holiday had solidified into something better. Teddy had caught him looking at McAlister's arse in his second year of training and raised a mischievous eyebrow. James had blushed (damn Weasley genes) and grudgingly admitted to maybe, possibly, being bisexual. Teddy had smirked and taken him out to a gay bar. Which, well, had cleared that right up.
It would've been fine if it weren't for the Hallway Incident. James thought of it that way, with ominous capitals. It wasn't like he didn't know that Teddy had sex. They shared a flat, for fuck's sake. And, OK, so James had a surreptious wank now and then when Teddy forgot a silencing charm. But he hadn't really thought of Teddy as sexy.
Except then one night he'd been at the club and had unwisely gone looking for Teddy. Who, it turned out, had been fucking some guy's mouth in a darkened hallway at the back of the club. James had rounded the corner just as Teddy came. His hair had streaked gold and he'd tangled a hand in his partner's hair and…
And James hadn't been bloody well able to get that image out of his head since. He had backed down the hall right quick that night and waited for Teddy to emerge. He still didn't know if Teddy had seen him but James hadn't been able to act quite normal since, so he suspected Teddy had figured it out.
That had been three months ago, when they'd gone out to celebrate James graduating to full Auror and being assigned Teddy's partner. Their teamwork on the job was impeccable. Off the job…well, there had been two more awkward attempts to go to the club, both of which had ended in them going home alone.
James shook his head and opened the doors of his wardrobe. Their latest case was going nowhere. The "Poor Man's Thief", as the Prophet had dubbed him, remained as hidden as ever. James felt like an iron ball had set up camp in his stomach every time he thought of the poorest denizens of the magical world losing what little they had to that bastard. Wedding rings, carelessly discarded on the job or thrown during the heat of an argument, were a particular favorite of their thief. The emotional devastation that followed discovery of the loss left James sick. He knew Teddy was losing sleep over it, too. They needed to relax. James was determined, this time, not to let his own anxiety get in the way. There was a new club open, La Mecca, and they were going.
And if he reached instinctively for his date clothes, that was his business, wasn't it?
**
James couldn't help staring at the long line of Teddy's throat as he swallowed a shot. And it was a fucking long line because Teddy wasn't wearing much more than sparkles and some sort of glamour on his top half. It gave the impression that if you just stared hard enough, you would see through it, while never quite revealing nipples or abs.
Teddy slammed the shot glass back onto their table and leaned back, arms resting wide along the booth's back. He laughed and smiled broadly at James. "Gonna get another," he shouted over the music. "You want something?"
James considered. He'd already had two beers, and while he'd managed some supper earlier, he didn't want to get drunk on a weeknight. He shook his head. "Just some coke, thanks."
Teddy nodded and hoisted himself up. James followed his arse, encased in clinging denim, until it was out of sight. He closed his eyes with a sigh. Well, Teddy certainly seemed to have forgotten their assignment, at least temporarily. And James was too busy dealing with his attraction to think properly, much less focus on something work-related. He supposed that was success of a sort.
It seemed like only a second before Teddy re-appeared, drinks in hand. James definitely had not drunk enough for his head to be spinning like this. Teddy didn't sit, swallowing his shot in two long gulps. James gave him a curious look, sipping at his coke. Was Teddy trying to get drunk? He didn't have much time to ponder, though, before Teddy grabbed his hand. "Come dance, Jamie," he said, bright-eyed and affectionate.
James snorted. There were four people he'd let get away with calling him by his nickname: his parents, Lils, and Teddy. Anyone else trying to call him Jamie got a blackened eye for their trouble. But he really couldn't resist Teddy like this, all happy and loose, so he let himself be maneuvered out onto the dance floor.
Maybe he was a little tipsy. Or maybe it was the club: dancing here was mostly sex standing up. Or maybe it was Teddy, who, dammit, had always moved like he was made of liquid steel, fluid and sharp. The strobe lighting revealed him in splotches of color, everything flexing in ways that dragged James' mind straight into the gutter. James, who had always been a slightly awkward dancer, wasn't even aware of his body, just that he wanted closer. The music was swamping everything, strangling any rational part of his brain under loud pounding and instinct.
His hand was on Teddy's hip. James wasn't quite sure how it got there, but he could feel himself panting. All he could think was More. He looked up and caught Teddy's eyes, pupils wide and dark, lips parted. Teddy brought a hand up and ran it over James' bicep, let his hand cling there.
That was enough for James. He lurched forward until they were pressed together, Teddy slick with sweat. Teddy smiled at him, somewhere between the predatory look he gave bed partners and happiness. Something tightened and settled in James' stomach. "Mmm," he said. He licked his bottom lip deliberately, watched Teddy track the movement. Around them, one song faded into another.
Teddy tilted his head back, caught his eye, and rolled his hips to the beat. James choked, feeling every inch of Teddy against him, brilliant and hot. Some animal part of his brain woke up and he snarled. James tightened his grip and flexed his hips against Teddy's. The music jolted through his bones and drowned any words, pushing his hips forward aggressively. He'd started this, dammit. He would bloody well end it. Teddy met his gaze for awhile, challenging, until James moved his hand to Teddy's lower back and shifted him around. The next beat brought their groins into contact, let Teddy feel the pulse in his cock. James held him there and moved, a sensuous circling that changed what they were doing from dance to something else entirely. Teddy's head dropped back. With a surge of triumphant lust, James leaned forward and bit into Teddy's bared neck. This close, he could hear him whine.
Fuck, he thought, am I really gonna do this? Because James didn't want to move, not to the flat, not even as far as a back hallway. He just wanted Teddy, rocking against him, right fucking now. Teddy didn't seem to have any objections, either, letting out small bursts of sound as James licked up his neck and lingered on his earlobe. He dropped his hand to Teddy's arse, taking a hungry moment to feel the shape of it before he guided Teddy into the rhythm he wanted. Teddy felt good, sliding up against him, their cocks rubbing right through their trousers. The music screamed and James screamed with it, orgasm rushing up like a train going too fast on its tracks. Teddy tangled his free hand in James' hair, tugged him into a kiss, and that was it. With a low, helpless moan, James came. His mouth went slack and lazy as he felt Teddy's kiss grow fierce, urgent. Teddy shuddered, and James could feel, fuck, he could feel Teddy come, the wet heat of it, right through their trousers.
Everything after that was a blur: Apparating home, cleaning up, even the second hot time, Teddy's mouth wrapped around him, was nothing more than Christ and Teddy, fuck.
And when that was over, Teddy drew back and said, "James. I've got it."
**
It was somewhere between flattering and annoying that sex had apparently made the pieces of their case click together in Teddy's head. But there it was: they'd ended up with a file spread out all over the floor at three am, excitement mounting. It was right there once they knew where to look. Carlson, who was supposedly a witness to one in a string of robberies, had said something in his statement, something that had simmered in the back of Teddy's brilliant brain. Carlson had seen a light- but, Teddy pointed out, the light that was on at the scene was in a back bedroom, and Carlson's flat was below the victim's. No way he could've known. A second look at reports from the other scenes showed several people witnessing 'a blond man' who could well have been Carlson in the area the day of the thefts. It hadn't blipped their radar before because asking if anyone had noticed anything strange in the sorts of areas where the thefts were taking place wasn't likely to garner any useful results.
They showed up early at the office the next day and got permission to do some digging. A little legwork got them files on Carlson - Patrick Rupert Carlson, age 31, one prior offense. Drugs. He worked part time delivering liquor to assorted bars, had little money in the bank, and there was a nasty rumour about his gambling habits.
After that, it was easy to get a warrant to search his house. A small team, including Teddy and James, opened it right up and found what they wanted. Fifty Galleons stuffed haphazardly under a couch cushion, an array of clothes that suggested either a very eclectic fashion sense or disguise, and three wedding rings, one of which they ID'd on sight as Marla Hopkin's, who'd reported it stolen a week ago.
When they made it back to the Department, Teddy and James were given the job of busting Carlson. "Be careful," Harry warned, a worried frown on his face. "He's backed into a corner; could be dangerous."
James nodded, serious. "Yes, sir."
Harry gave him a brief, strained smile and left them to get on with it. James turned, vibrating with nerves. This was their first big bust. "Right," he said, breathing out carefully. "Supplies?"
Teddy nodded and they walked down the hall to the Aurors' supply room. James shot off the security code automatically, waiting for the 'ping' that meant he'd been registered as an Auror and supplied the correct code. The light on the door changed to orange and Teddy stepped up to verify his half of their partner code. The doorway outlined itself in a bright green and was opened by a senior Auror - Wenther, James thought. The woman held a wand on them with calm professionalism. "Names and case?"
"Auror James Potter, case #1381-AO-4Z, partner Auror Theodore Lupin," James answered for both of them.
The Auror wrote something on a scroll with her free hand, eyes steady on them both. A moment later, it glowed and she lowered her wand. "Access granted," she said.
James passed the doorway, Teddy right behind him, and watched it seal up again. The Auror tucked her wand away and resumed guarding, paying them no further attention. Teddy cocked his head. "I don't think we'll need explosives or tech, do you?"
James blushed. "I was thirteen when I told you I wanted to grow up to be James Bond," he protested. "I know better now!"
Teddy grinned, and they moved toward the lighter artillery. James scanned down the row and chose a second wand and picked up some battle robes as well. They would deflect some hexes. He pondered over footwear; he might need extra speed, but he was good with a fleetfoot charm, so perhaps not. Stealth? He shot a longing look at the invisibility rack. James shook his head. The whole point was to be visible. He probably had all he needed. He felt a brief pang of disappointment; no playing with the big toys today.
Teddy was finished as well. He had chosen a pair of speed boots in addition to battle robes and a wand. He gave James a slightly exasperated look and went to the Potions stores to pluck two healing potions apiece down. James flushed; he should have remembered that. How many times in training had they been told to think about after the bust? He accepted them silently and sat to check his robes. No loose threads, and the protection seemed solid throughout. He shrugged into the robe and watched Teddy cast several spells with his back-up wand.
"Compatibility?"
Teddy nodded. "Positive."
James took out his own wand and repeated Teddy's process. "Back-up compatible," he reported. James picked up the potions and slid them into their compartment on his robe. With a brisk shake, he ascertained that they would stay put and lightweight. "Potions secured," he added.
Teddy shook out his robe. "Battle robes standard and potions secure." With deft movements, Teddy shook back his sleeve and James took the proffered arm holster. He wrapped it around Teddy's forearm and cinched the two buckles tight, the worn leather fitting like a glove. Teddy slid his extra wand into it experimentally, then nodded his approval.
His nerves were fading as adrenaline continued to pump into him. The feel of Teddy's fingers tightening James' wrist holster left James focused. Everything seemed bright and clear and he felt the world slow around him. He'd heard this described, once, as battle mode.
Suited up, he and Teddy headed out.
**
Patrick Carlson was unloading cases of Ogden's Firewhisky out the back of the Tusk and Boar when they caught up to him. James let Teddy take the lead, approaching without fanfare along the alley. When they were a standard meter away, Teddy caught Carlson's eye and said, "Patrick Carlson? The Aurors have a few questions for you."
The man turned away with a sneer, keeping his wand on the heavy case he was moving. "Yeah," he grunted, "well too bad. Don' got nothin' to say to the likes of you."
Teddy withdrew a packet of papers from his robes. "We have here a warrant for your arrest-"
They got no further as Carlson let the case drop with a crash and Apparated away. James drew his wand and had the Apparation traced in the time it took Teddy to put the papers back. Holding firm to his wand, James grabbed Teddy's arm and said, "Ready, and-"
With a flash, they were elsewhere, dropping into a crouch and scanning. James had time to take in a crowded street and the smell of fish before Teddy spotted the Apparation trail and pulled them forward. They landed this time by a seedy storefront that looked like it belonged in Knockturn Alley. Carlson was a good six shops down from them and moving fast. Drawing his second wand, James began to run, casting the fleetfoot charm mid-step to match Teddy. They had halved the distance when Carlson ducked down an alley.
Auror training paid off, then. James' legs stretched to open his stride, breathing deep and even, charm making him near-silent. Teddy paced him in his speed boots as they trailed their thief. The alley turned out to be a tunnel, buildings built right over the top of it. It was darker but less crowded and they could hear the sound of running footsteps quite clearly. Carlson pelted into a rundown bar just ahead of them. Teddy made a quick circling motion with his hand. James moved off to the left and began a circuit of the building, doing his best not to look at whatever he was stepping in as he moved. The smell of trash and piss wafted up, a single sour note in the thousand details he absorbed as he moved. There were no visible weapons, no suspicious people watching the back of the pub. A single window was boarded over, low on the right, secured with heavy wood and too many nails. It took less than a minute - James had always been a fast runner - for him to circle back to Teddy, shaking his head to let him know there was no back door.
"No Apparation," Teddy whispered. That took care of one problem, James supposed. They retreated slightly to get a good vantage point of the entrance and keep themselves out of sight. It would be stupid to rush the building; Carlson could be anywhere and might have allies in there. But they also couldn't stay out here.
"Floo?" James questioned, turning his head to look at Teddy. His breathing was slowing but he could suddenly feel every bit of air between him and his partner. They were tucked close together against the tunnel's mossy wall and James could smell Teddy, sweat and musk. The sharp edges of battle readiness were making his vision tunnel. Adrenaline, some part of his brain noted dimly. For a crazy moment, James wanted nothing more than to shove Teddy up against the wall and snog him senseless.
Teddy's shoulders were tight as they rose and fell in a shrug. "Maybe."
Maybe? They were in the middle of- oh! The Floo. Right. James shook his head briskly. Raising his wand, he cast a quick spell. "Nothing for the first two meters," he reported. Unfortunately, he couldn't see past that.
Teddy's lips pressed together in a thin line. "Give me five seconds to clear the door, then follow."
James didn't like it. It was still probably the best move. He readied both wands. "Go." He watched Teddy race up the steps and slide in the door. There was no immediate sound of calamity. James forced himself to count to five, muscles tense, before he followed.
The bar was sparsely populated, patrons caught in various poses of surprise. There was, indeed, a Floo in the corner but it didn't seem to have been used. Carlson was nowhere in sight. "We'll have to search the premises," Teddy was saying. The bar tender didn't appear to like the sound of that. With a mute jerk, instead, he indicated the door to the kitchen behind him. "We'll start upstairs," Teddy continued blithely, even as he moved to back James as they moved for the kitchen.
Carlson was the only one there, back to them as he faced a second, unregistered Floo. If he managed to travel through, there would be no tracing him. Carlson turned as they entered, jerking, and swore. He tried desperately to throw the handful of Floo powder. James cast Expelliarmus and a flame-quenching hex simultaneously, while Teddy stunned Carlson. Moments later, Carlson was neatly tied up and a search turned up nothing more dangerous than another wedding ring. James panted, unable to believe it was over.
Teddy straightened up and grinned. "Good job," he said. "Let's take him in."
**
The chase left Teddy in high spirits and he tore through the necessary report. It was less than an hour later that he and James were able to leave. Teddy was still loose-limbed with adrenaline, cracking jokes as he and James stumbled into their flat. The second the door closed behind him, Teddy gave James his best challenging grin. James, thank Merlin, knew exactly what he meant and wasted no time backing Teddy into the door.
The kiss was searing, all tangled possession and fight. Teddy laughed into it and sucked James' lower lip. He could push back, egg James on. And that might be fun, some time. Right now, though, Teddy really wanted nothing more than to let James do whatever he wanted. Preferably naked.
Teddy tugged James' shirt out of his trousers and ran his hands up the back. He made a soft, approving noise at the feel of bare skin. James put a hand in his hair and tugged a little. Teddy obediently let his head be moved to the side and was rewarded with sharp nips down his throat. James ended at his collarbone and Teddy shuddered.
James looked wicked when he drew back. "Hmm." He eyed Teddy. "Off," he ordered, waving at Teddy. Flushed, Teddy pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor, pleased when James did the same. Apparently James wasn't done just yet, though. He leaned right back in and set his teeth to Teddy's shoulder again.
"Oh." Teddy blinked, heat rushing through him in a wave. "Oh. Oh, fuck, James." His head thunked back into the door and his hips arched. "Please."
James grabbed him by the belt and tugged. "Bed," he said hoarsely. Teddy nodded and stumbled along, glad it wasn't far to his room. James pushed him onto the bed and kicked off his boots. Teddy watched, dazed, as James undid his belt and fly, pushing the Auror-red trousers down his legs. He wasn't wearing anything under them.
Teddy had exactly the same reaction he'd had the first time he'd seen James like this; his mouth began to water. James had the loveliest cock, flushed and heavy, curving up against his belly. James gave him a hot-eyed look, saying without words that he'd seen Teddy looking. He fell to his knees in front of Teddy. "Useless, Lupin," he said, voice breathless and amused. Teddy meant to ask what he was laughing at but in the next instant, James was thumbing his nipples, mouth sliding over his neck just a little too high for what he wanted. Teddy whined. James set his teeth lightly in Teddy's neck, sending Teddy arching futilely upward.
James huffed a laugh, and even that wrenched a cry from Teddy, then pulled at Teddy's trousers and pants. The minute they were at his knees, James moved his mouth and the feel of teeth on his collarbone made Teddy lose all speech. His hands clenched in the bedspread until James pushed him back. He wordlessly wriggled onto the bed, letting James pin him with his weight. They kissed again, hot and messy. James tore his mouth away. "God. Teddy, I want-"
Teddy whined again, a high, needy sound. He squirmed away, moving until he was on his belly, then his knees. He widened his legs as far as he could with his trousers confining them. Behind him, he heard James say, "Fuck," and the scrabble that was probably lubricant sliding out of a drawer somewhere. He felt shaky and exposed, but that didn't come anywhere near to stopping the heat. Slick fingers traced a quick line down his arse before stopping and pressing gently. Teddy breathed out. He let his head fall forward as James slid a finger in.
This was always so consuming. Being fucked open, a finger at a time, had always turned Teddy into a mess. And now it was James, James who he trusted for anything, James who had his back and was busily moving two fingers into Teddy. Teddy clenched and listened to James' breathing stutter. Those clever fingers retaliated, moving deep and rolling across his prostate. Teddy's arms quivered and gave out, leaving him face first in the mattress. James, the bastard, laughed.
James must have been nearing his own limits, though, because it was less than a minute later that he drew his fingers out. Teddy waited, strung out with eagerness, and closed his eyes in bliss when he felt James' cock pressed against him. He was impressively slow entering Teddy, sending Teddy all but melting through the bed. He managed to get a hand under himself, though, wrapped around his cock. James groaned. The pace sped until each jolt made Teddy tighten his hand and moan. James made sharp little sounds as his hips snapped forward, faster and faster. Just when Teddy thought he couldn't take it anymore, James pressed deep, going silent and coming. Biting his lip, Teddy let go, the relief of his orgasm stealing sound and sight for a moment.
When he could breathe again, he tilted sideways, James slumped bonelessly beside him. "Mmm," Teddy managed. James twisted a corner of bedspread and wiped clumsily at both of them before tossing an arm over Teddy and cuddling close. His eyes fluttered closed and he drifted off to the feel of James pressing a kiss to the nape of his neck. Everything else could wait.
Fin