wyatt smith.

Evan gave the other a small nod, not really certain if he should say more. He just felt like if he tried to talk more about Wyatt’s grandparents, he’d easily slip into how bad they were. And while Evan wasn’t exactly the best judge of character, he knew bad people when he met them, and they certainly were. But he didn’t want to spoil that for the other; he should make his own idea of them. And anyway, he was more concerned by the fact he hurt his family, and he wasn’t sure he’d ever forgive himself for it. “I know, I’m sorry.” He said in a small, cracking voice, almost cursing at himself. Was sorry the only thing he was able to say now? He fell silent again, taking a moment before saying anything more. He could understand why Wyatt would expect him to try and forget it, but that wasn’t who he was in terms of family matter. “No, why would I? You’re my family.” He finally said, trying to control his voice best he could.

Wyatt wasn’t entirely sure how to react. He had a family. Though, Evan didn’t look entirely enthralled at the mention of his grandparents, and it made him nervous. “Will you take me to see them?” He asked quietly, the question surprising even himself. As the other apologised, Wyatt frowned, brows knitting together at the crack in the other’s voice. Wyatt hesitated, the other seemed like he meant it --- but that didn’t exactly mean Wyatt wanted to instantly trust him either. As the other spoke again, Wyatt sat up, staring at him. He blinked twice, studying the other’s expression. “Family?” His own voice cracked as he echoed the word. “I’ve never had a family,” He admitted, “I might not be very good at it.” His voice was barely audible, teeth chewing on his lower lip again.

Elias’ frown deepened at the other’s words, but then his eyes widened when he mentioned family. “Family drama?” He repeated, blinking. “But I thought that you–” However, when the kittens came running out of their carrier, he couldn’t help but smile, and he immediately crouched down towards the floor, picking one up. “I want them all. Wyatt, this was a bad idea.”

“Yeah, so did I.” Wyatt shrugged his shoulders, teeth tugging on his lower lip. “Until Evan Rosier turned up while I was in the hospital wing with evidence that he’s my half brother.” Nervous laughter bubbled from his lips, “Oh, I’m not even muggleborn, by the way. I’m actually a pureblood.” He admitted, but his frown faded at the animals. Wyatt scooped up a kitten, his smile growing. “Oh this was a terrible idea. How are we supposed to walk out of here without adopting kittens, Eli?”

Elias laughed at the other’s words and he shrugged. “It’s not like you’re studying them, or anything.” He pointed out playfully. He squeezed his hand, just gently, and followed the man off to the room. Once inside, he turned back towards Wyatt, eyes blinking a bit and his expression faltering slightly. “Are you alright?” His voice was soft, not wanting to press… but Wyatt wouldn’t just say something like that if it was nothing. Before another minute had passed, however, the man from the front came back with a carrier crate - and as soon as he opened the little door, several kittens came bounding out.

“Oh of course not,” He joked lightly. As his grin faded, Wyatt nodded hesitantly at the other’s question, plastering a smile back on his lips. “Yes,” He lied,  before sighing, “No, not really but I don’t particularly want to ruin our date with family drama. Since that’s apparently a thing I have now.” Wyatt crinkled his nose, before his face lit up at the sight of the kittens.

WARDROBE

“I guess it would be, hey?” Elias admitted with a laugh. He guided him to the door, and once it was open, and he told Wyatt to open his eyes, he felt a grin returning to his face. “We can pet kittens.” He confirmed, laughing as the Wyatt suddenly hugged him. “I’m glad you like it.” He wrapped his arms around him and squeezed gently, planting a kiss on his cheek. “Cm’on!” He said after a moment, grabbing his hand and starting to tug him towards the desk. After chatting with the man at the front desk for a moment, he motioned for the other two to follow him, and led them into a room with several cat trees and some treats for them to give out. “They bring them in with a couple of the carriers.” Elias told Wyatt once the volunteer had left the room, momentarily leaving the two of them alone again.

Wyatt laughed with the other, walking through the door to the room. “It’s almost as if you know I like animals or something,” He teased, the grin never leaving his lips. His cheeks flushed as the other pressed his lips to his cheek, interlacing their fingers as the other took his hand. Wyatt stayed quiet as the other spoke to the man at the desk, before following him into the room. “This is amazing, thank you. I really needed this,” He admitted, chewing on his lip slightly as the smile faded somewhat. Ever since he’d found out about Evan, his mind had been all over the place.

Elias’ smile became softer as the other said he was excited, and he nodded a bit. “I am too.” He admitted. He laughed, however, at Wyatt’s lack of confidence in his plan. “It’ll be fine!” He insisted, walking the rest of the way with the two of them like that - and hoping that Wyatt didn’t peek. Once they reached the shelter, he slowed and stopped in front of the door. “Okay, you can open your eyes.” He pulled open the door, and almost immediately, the sound of dogs barking could be heard. “So… this shelter sometimes lets people volunteer to come play with the kittens. So that’s what we’re doing.” 

“Well, I’m glad, or this might be slightly awkward,” Wyatt teased gently. He found it so easy to be with the other, and though he was nervous, he was comfortable around Elias. Wyatt simply giggled at the other’s insistence, but kept his eyes shut. The second he could open them he did, his face lighting up as he heard barking. “You brought me-- we can pet kittens?!” Wyatt threw his arms around the other, “Best date ever!”

Evan found himself fidgeting with his fingers, something he used to do when he was particularly nervous, or uncomfortable. And right now, he was both of those things. Not to mention the guilt that kept growing everyone single time Wyatt. “Yeah, I found them. Got the letter from them.” He said, refraining from mentioning the fact they were quite the assholes. As Wyatt brought up what he did to him, Evan started chewing on the inside of his cheeks, eyes closing for a moment. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Not just for this, but everything I did to you. If I’d known, I…” He started but didn’t finish. Of course, if he knew he would’ve never done that, it felt stupid to say that. “You’re not a muggleborn. You’re not even a halfblood. And I really messed up.”

“You found them,” Wyatt echoed in disbelief, blinking at the other. It was information overload. Evan Rosier was his half brother. Wyatt stared at the other, studying his expression --- almost as if he was trying to see if the other was actually telling the truth. However, the other gave no indication he was lying. If I’d known-- Anger flashed across his features as he shook his head. “It shouldn’t have mattered that we were family, Evan, you shouldn’t have done it regardless. I did nothing to you,” His voice cracked as he spoke, pain flickering across his face before he chewed on his bottom lip. “Messed up is an understatement.” Wyatt leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. He’d always wanted a family, craved one -- but this was Evan. “Why are you telling me this? I’d assume you’d want to sweep it under the rug.”

“We’re going to be there in less than two minutes. I thought Hufflepuffs were supposed to be patient?” Elias teased, smiling against his lips when he leaned forward to kiss him. “We’re on a sidewalk, what would you trip on?” He nodded though, as Wyatt asked if he was happy, before realizing he couldn’t see him. “I am. Cm’on, I’ll just…” He hadn’t actually thought of how to guide him. “Oh! Here, put your hands on my shoulders. This will probably work.” He quickly moved in front of the other and took his hands, putting them on his shoulders before starting to slowly walk towards the shelter.

“I can be patient. Most of the time, I’m just excited,” Wyatt admitted sheepishly. “Air, my own two feet?” He suggested, shrugging his shoulders. This will probably work. Wyatt let out a laugh, “Probably. That doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence,” He teased, but allowed the other to move his hands, walking slowly so he didn’t fall.

“It doesn’t. I’m sorry.” Maybe her apologies meant absolutely nothing. It was a small drop in the huge sea of problems that were deeply rooted in this society. “Oh…wow. I didn’t know that. That had to be terrible.” She paused, for a brief moment. “Hae you ever thought about figuring who your parents were?”

Wyatt pulled a face, not really knowing what else to say to the other. “Yeah, well I don’t exactly advertise it.” Wyatt told her honestly, shrugging his shoulders again. “Yeah, it’s just not easy when there’s barely a trace. I have my mum’s name now, though.”

“I don’t think you’ll be pouting for very long.” Elias admitted. He figured, at least if Wyatt decided he didn’t like being on a date with Elias, he would probably still have a good time anyway. “Maybe.” He muttered, pouting himself. But then as Wyatt asked about if he was going to let him trip, he shook his head, rolling his eyes. “I won’t let you trip. Cover your eyes!”

“Oh, really? Why, are you going to tell me where we’re going?” Wyatt grinned at the other. As the other pouted, laughter left Wyatt’s lips, and he leaned forwards to kiss the other briefly, before pulling away again. He shot Elias a look of disbelief as the other said he wouldn’t let him trip, but closed his eyes, raising his hand to cover them. “Happy now?”

“We’re not far, so you don’t have to pout for too long.” Elias teased gently, grinning as he looked at him. He felt his face getting red though, at what he said next, and he just shook his head. “You’re cheesy.” He said playfully and nudged him with his elbow, still holding onto his hand. “You’ll find out soon!” However, as soon as they turned a corner, he stopped dead in his tracks, meeting eyes with him again. “Okay, you have to cover your eyes. I’ll help you walk the rest of the way.”

“I will pout as long as I want,” Wyatt teased back. As the other called him cheesy, he let out a laugh. “Yeah, I am, but you like it, or you wouldn’t be blushing,” Wyatt pointed out. He went to speak again, but the other stopped dead in his tracks. “Cover my eyes? Are you sure you’re not gonna let me fall? Or trip?”

“Society’s been twisted for a long time.” Elise insisted. It was maybe naive of her to say that, and dangerous- given the mark on her forearm- but she couldn’t help it. “Would you really want to do that?”

“Yeah, I suppose. Doesn’t make it easy,” Wyatt shrugged his shoulders, before letting out a sigh. “No, I suppose not. It depends, I suppose. If it meant I got a family, then probably. I uh, never knew my family, but I grew up in a muggle orphanage so I’ve just always assumed that’s what I was.”

“An artist of every craft, aren’t you? That’s impressive, Smith.” Katrina nodded along, genuinely impressed by the other’s talents. “And then it’s just a sweater. And maybe a dress. Let’s take it one piece of clothing at a time, shall we?”

“Not every, but one or two,” He laughed, shaking his head. “I’m just more the creative type. Don’t ask me to do math,” Wyatt shrugged his shoulders. “I can certainly try.”

The brunette looked around the room, flickering her gaze from one worm to another, fascination twinkling in her eyes. They weren’t pretty, far from it actually, but more interesting than any other conventionally cute animal. “You’re right, they’re fascinating.”

“I enjoy studying them, but then I pretty much enjoy studying all creatures. Which is why I major in the subject, but yeah. Creatures are better than people, most of the time. Less complicated in my opinion,” He rambled slightly, cheeks flushing as he spoke.

“Neither am I.” She confessed with a shrug of her shoulders. “Don’t feel bad about it, it’s just the way people like us are wired.”

“Wired? People like us? What do you mean?” Wyatt asked her, brows furrowing together.

Elias let out a soft laugh at the other’s words, and he nodded, closing the distance yet again to press his lips to Wyatt’s. However, just as he did so, there was a loud “Oi!” From behind him, making him instantly pull away. “Sorry, Madam Pomfrey!” He quickly told her, face going red again. The matron rolled her eyes at him before approaching the bed, clearly about to give Wyatt some potions, or something. “I’ll see you later, okay? I’ll come back with tea or something.” Elias told him, standing up from the bed so he could leave, and let Madam Pomfrey do what she needed to.

Wyatt leaned in as the other went to kiss him again, flinching at the sound of Madam Pomfrey’s voice. Wyatt’s own face coloured as he pulled away, head hitting the pillows as a light groan escaped his lips. “Yeah, I’ll see you later,” Wyatt smiled softly at the other, watching as he walked away before turning back towards Promfrey with a sigh.

When Elias found out that Wyatt was going to spend Easter at Hogwarts, there was no hesitation in hid mind before he invited him to come home with he and his siblings. And then, that led him to ask him on a real date, something he’d been planning on doing for a while… and there they were, on their way. “What? No, it’s a surprise, I told you.” Elias said with a grin, turning his head to look at him. “No! I promise, you’re going to like it. Well… I hope you’re going to like it.” He obediently took the other’s hand, though, and gave it a gentle squeeze.

As the other told him it was a surprise, Wyatt huffed at the other, but the smile never left his lips. “Alright fine,” He admitted defeat, letting out an overly dramatic sigh. “I’m sure I’d love anything you planned, it means I get to spend time with you,” Wyatt told him honestly, his smile growing as he squeezed the other’s hand back. “I am ridiculously curious as to what you’ve planned though.”