Fabian felt the familiar thrum of energy surging under their skin.  It was a sure sign that they needed a drink, or a fuck, or even a fight, just something to help let lose the tension that was building. Anna was out-Fabian had gathered that Anna truly would never want a relationship. And with their brother still in the hospital wing, their usual drinking buddy was out as well. Hogsmeade was the best they could do, and they had been nursing a drink at the bar alone when Stefan slide into the spot at the bar next to them. “Nott,” they greeted, certain he could help cross out at least one of the three things they needed, “What a surprise to see you here.”

Gideon was still in the hospital wing, and Fabian felt themselves going a little stir crazy, having their dorm to themselves. It wasn’t a common occurrence, and they found the situation rather lonely, which is why they stopped in front of the nearest familiar face when they walked into the common room. “Lily, hey,” they said, “what are you doing right now? Because I have alcohol and an empty dorm,” they waggled their eyebrows.

Anna closed her eyes, trying to take a few calming breaths, and heard as Fabian knelt down before her. She paused, before leaning forward, eyes not quite opening as she focused on the hand on her shoulder, Fabian’s voice. “No, M’not hurt, Fabes. And you’re off shift.” She let out a breath, opening her eyes, looking down at the person before them. Had Fabian died last night… Anna felt fresh tears in her eyes, and she easily fell out of the chair, arms wrapping around Fabian as she started crying again. “We could’ve died.” She’d just watched someone die, as awful as that had been. She hadn’t been able to stop shaking since she saw it. Burying her face in Fabian’s neck, she took a few shuddering breaths as she regained some form of composure. “C-Can we go up to your room? Please? I can’t go to Winnie like this; she just lost a brother.” She’d lost Emrys, too, but she couldn’t focus on that. “I promise I won’t cry for long, I just needed to see you.”

They couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief that Anna was unharmed. Too many people had gotten hurt in the attack and it eased Fabian’s worries that Anna was physically fine. “My shift might be over, but I can’t just turn it off, sweetheart,” they murmured, squeezing her shoulder gently. At Anna’s words, Fabian tensed. “We could have,” they replied, keeping their voice soft so not to spook Anna. “But you’re still here, love, we made it out in one piece, yeah?” They swallowed, mind darting back to the chaos of the night, to Gideon going missing and his current state and how close they had come to losing him. Fabian let Anna pull herself closer, arms reaching around her as she buried her face in Fabian’s neck. Her question was muffled, but Fabian managed to catch it. “Whatever you need Anna,” they replied as they rubbed a hand in soothing circles on the girl’s back. “And don’t-you don’t have to hold it in, okay? If you need to cry all night, you need to cry all night. It’s fine, okay? I’m not-I’m not going anywhere.” They kept Anna close as they made their way through the common room, glaring at anymore who’s gaze lingered in Anna’s distressed features for more than a moment. Fabian’s dorm was empty without their brother, the silence overwhelming, but they ignored it, focusing instead on getting Anna to lie down and pulling her close in the safety of their bed.

“Well shit,” Gideon half joked, before he snorted with laughter. “Yeah, was kinda awkward when I find out they got together. Don’t think either of them know and I’m hoping to keep it that way.” Gideon grimaced, not particularly fond of the idea of Evan finding out. “As far as you can tell? Have you, you know, tried asking her? Oh fuck off is it better, you’re bloody miserable, Fabe. You need to tell her, besides if she breaks your heart now that’s better than having her head you on and break it later.” Gideon reasoned, before letting out a sigh. “Eh, it’s whatever. I’m used to the fact no ones ever going to choose me.” He admitted. “It’s hard for me to be happy when I keep falling for the wrong people. You know, if Ted wasn’t pining over someone else, I’d fucking marry him.”

“I can imagine,” Fabian snorted, shaking their head. “I mean,  shit like this has a way of getting out, so be careful, Gid, yeah?” They weren’t particularly surprised that Gideon had gotten into something that messy-it was something of a Prewett trait, really-but they couldn’t help but hope it resolved well for him. “I’m not miserable!” they protested, and it was true. “Anna is-at the end of the day-one of my closest friends at this point. Telling her I love her-asking for more than she’s willing to give, it could ruin it.” They’d rather have Anna in their life in some capacity than not at all. “And she’s not leading me on,” Fabian defended, “I know what she wants from me and I’m fine with it. I just. I sometimes wish it was more.” But that was on them, not Anna, and they couldn’t stand to hear anything bad about the girl. “I doubt his pining would stop the two of you from running off together,” Fabian teased, well aware of the dynamic between Ted and Gideon.

“Its extremely difficult to move my ass right now so I’m sure you have nothing to worry about,” The boy muttered bitterly, before his features soften as he looked at them. “I’m sorry,” He murmured, bringing the cup to his lips gingerly. “I don’t even remember what happened,” the lie tumbled from his lips, he remembered it in vivid detail, but he couldn’t tell anyone.

“Don’t you get smart with me, Gideon,” they teased, though it sounded forced even to Fabian’s ears. They had been so scared, when they heard the new about their brother, terrified when they had seen them in the hospital wing. Him waking up helped ease the worry but only so much. “Do you remember that there was an attack?” they asked, already making mental note to tell Pomfrey of the apparent memory loss. Honestly, given the state he was in, Gideon was probably lucky he didn’t remember what had happened.

Evie tilted her head a bit at the other’s reply, her eyebrows raising a bit before an actual smile, no more of a smirk, appeared on her lips. Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as she thought. “My definition of fun? Exactly what we’re about to do. Drinks.” She admitted, stepping up to the bar. It was true, she did enjoy drinking, and other things, but those were a little less appropriate to be bringing up. “Standing in corner at dances is just my thing, and that’s the point. Other people don’t find it appealing so usually, people leave me alone.” Seems some didn’t get the hint though, but she was going to try and make the best of it, drinks were involved after all.

“Well, then I guess we’re in for a hell of a good time this evening,” Fabian said with a smirk, reaching the bar and ordering themself a drink. “Because that’s exactly what we’re getting up to.” They shrugged at the girl, not particularly bothered. Fabian was enjoying the night despite their weird shit with Anna, and if someone else wanted to hide in a corner? Not their problem. “What, you just show up to these events to lurk, then?” they asked, taking a sip of their drink. “Seems like a waste, but different strokes, yeah?”

Smart, but she didn’t really care to much to do something like that. The only things important to her at a dance was the booze and the door out. Evie rose her brows at the other as they linked arms, about ready to pull away before they started leading her towards the bar. Don’t worry, you’ll be drunk soon enough. She reminded herself, trying her hardest to play nice in this situation. “There are plenty of other pretty girls here you could be drinking with though,” she argued, letting out a huff. How did she keep getting dragged into these situations? “Look, a few drinks and then I’m out.” Just enough to cause a light buzz long enough until she could be alone to drink. No, drinking along wasn’t a whole lot of fun, but it did mean she didn’t have to talk.

Fabian could tell the girl wasn’t all that interested in them, and they weren’t particularly phased by it. They could tone down the flirting, they supposed. “I’m asking you to get a drink since we both need one, not on a date. Relax. You’re hot, i’m hot, and we’re here to have fun-whatever your definition of it might be.” They raised an eyebrow at the girl. “Do you find standing in the corner alone at dances fun? Because personally, I don’t see the appeal.”

You could never mess this up. Anna’s gentle heart fluttered at the sentiment, old feelings rising up that she’d tried to push down long ago with Fabian. She always knew they occupied a special place in her heart, but it’d been a while since she’d remembered quite how big it was. She was a little in love with everyone, but some more than others, and Fabian… was someone who made her heart race like no one else. “What if I always want you?” she asked, her voice quiet, small smile on her lips. She giggled a little in some attempt to diminish the sentiment, moving on from her own words. “Good. I’m just… glad we’re okay.” She was glad she could drop the whole topic, really. Gideon had been a mistake, one she’d been to rectify with both twins. She closed her eyes, gentle shivering as Fabian whispered in her ear. She hummed softly, nodding. “You want that show now, baby?” she asked, turning her head slightly. “Because I don’t want to wait until the night ends. Get me out of here.”

Fabian felt more settled with the odd tension between them and Anna gone. The girl was one of the most important people in their life, and it had been awful, trying to keep their distance the last few days. “Well, then i guess you’ll always have me,” they said softly, trying not to get lost in the idea of it. Forever seemed scary, unfathomable, but not with Anna. “Always, Anna,” they resonded, giving into the urge to lean into the girl and kiss her, just a quick press of the lips to support their words. “That sounds like a wonderful idea,” they replied with a smirk, knowing full well what the private show would lead to. “After you, sweetheart.”

Anna reached for Fabian’s hand, squeezing it tightly in her own. A lot of her other relationships were so confusing right now; she didn’t need that with them. “Fabes, we didn’t hook up.” All she’d been able to see in that room was Fabian’s bed, memories with the person before her, and she found, possibly for the first time, that she didn’t want to hook up with someone else. “That doesn’t make it better, okay, but I–I couldn’t do it. And I’d die if I messed this up with you, so we’re good?” She smiled softly as she caught Fabian’s smile, moving to loosely wrap her arms around their neck. “I always like what I see when it comes to you. You know that, right?” This was easier. This back and forth with Fabian got her heart racing in the best way, but they were also beyond comfortable for her now. “Well, I live to impress,” she joked, unable to stop the laugh that left her lips. “I could give you a private show, later.”

Fabian let Anna take their hand, the familiar gesture a welcome comfort in the uncomfortable topic being discussed. They had done their level best not to think about Anna and Gideon, and at Anna’s words, Fabian couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of relief. While they were honest in having no claim over her, they couldn’t help but be upset at the thought of Anna choosing their twin over them. “You could never mess this up,” they said, voice soft as they squeezed Anna’s hand back. “Even if you had hooked up with him. Long as you want me, you’ve got me,” as the words left Fabian’s mouth, their eyes widened slightly. That was a bit more than they had been hoping to say, but it didn’t make it any less true. “A private show?” Fabian leaned in close, their breath dancing along Anna’s neck as they murmured in her ear, “I’d really like that, Anna.”

Evie narrowed her eyes a bit at the other. Did she need help? Of course she didn’t need help, she was very much capable of finding it on her own. They were right though, she definitely needed it. Preferably as soon as possible. Letting out a sigh, she stood up. “Yeah, sure. Whatever. You’ve already got some so you seem to know where it is. Lead the way.”

“I make it a point to locate everything of importance at the start of each event,” Fabian said, tone as serious as they could manage in their state. They linked arms with the girl,dragging her along towards the bar. “And everyone knows parties are much more fun when there’s alcohol and pretty girls involved.”

“oh sure. thanks.” ophelia said, taking the flask from the other and taking a sip. ophelia wasn’t drunk enough for the party anymore. “would you like to dance?” she asked, holding her hand out. 

“Cheers, yeah?” Fabian asked as Fi took a sip. The other student looked like she could use it, as far as Fabian was concerned. “I’m always down to dance,” they said, grabbing the hand Fi offered and pulling her towards the floor. “I’ve got some great moves,” they smirked as they spoke.

“Indeed, you do.” Lily chuckles at their comment, narrowing her eyes at them. “I’ll be waiting for you, Fab.” Her voice leaves room for interpretation, a subtle wink sent in Fabian’s direction. “Don’t disappoint me.”

“Disappoint you?” they said, hand reaching up to clutch at their heart. “Lily, darling, I would never dream of it,” they insisted with a smirk. “I promise you that I’ll make the trial of sitting through the kissing booth worthwhile, yeah?”