kai thompson

He didn’t like how he felt in that moment. The feeling of fear wasn’t one he welcomed and often went above and beyond to keep from himself if it was possible. But with Kai right there and looking so damn excited, how could run from that? How could he run from that smile? I can’t. And even as they neared the calf again he’d held his tongue about his concerns. It seemed the other had all of this confidence it would work. How could he doubt it? And so Isaac went along. His own brain fighting against every movement they’d made from there on out. And when the calf first refused him, Isaac grew worried that he’d truly ruined this for Kai. That was the last thing he’d wanted.

But Kai insisted and Isaac hesitantly tried again. The payoff this time was much, much more to his favor. The calf instead gave him a full on head bump to his hand. “Moolissa?” He questioned, his brow arching uncontrollably at that name. Though it did make him smile whether he was joking or not. Isaac’s fingers began to lightly stroke the back of the being’s head and neck. The feeling of it under his touch was far different than he’d been expecting but he enjoyed it. 

Isaac dropped down to his knee in front of the calf and happily gave her both hands to pet with. His gaze drifted up towards the other, smiling softly to him. He wasn’t sure if he should thank him, hug him or kiss him for this. The last two sounded very good but he wasn’t sure the last was appropriate. Kai wasn’t like anyone else he’d encountered and Isaac very much enjoyed his company. “I shoul’ than’ ya.” He spoke after another few moments. He knew his reaction was over the top but Kai didn’t have to react as he did. Didn’t have to give him the time of day after he’d become aware of what Isaac was. But he didnt’ treat him any differently. And he certainly didn’t look at him like he was some kind of something. And that meant more to Isaac than he could put into words. “This is … this wa’ somethin’ an’ I don’ thin’ there would be another person i’ this worl’ I want to share i’ wit’.”

Though he’d only meant to spy on this at first, he was glad for it. For the calf and finding this out. For Kai. There were a lot of things Isaac was unsure of but what he didn’t question was how they both seemed to keep surprising one another. The blush on his cheeks deepened realizing the weight of what he’d said just a moment ago. Isaac patted her head one last time before he’d stood to join Kai. “You continue ta surprise me an’ ‘m …. ‘m glad fo’ i’.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” Kai replied smoothly and quickly. If anything, he felt like he should thank Isaac. For this evening, for trusting him, and most of all for believing him even when he didn’t want to. He knew what it was like to have a secret and how much work it was to keep a secret. His secrets weren’t anything like Isaac’s. Kai couldn’t imagine the energy it must have taken Isaac to keep his veela part hidden away from the peering eyes of the world. But he did believe that it was ridiculous that his friend had to hide it. It was a part of him that Kai felt should have been celebrated, not hidden. “Really. You don’t. I just want you to be who you are with me. No need to hide anything.” 

Because sometimes all that mattered was the fact that someone was there. If Isaac needed someone to be supportive, Kai would be that for him. Maybe because he had a tiny crush on the Slytherin but also because Isaac had always made it a point to be nice to him and also because he considered them friends. Kai had a feeling that if the roles were reversed, Isaac would do the same for him. 

“I’m glad you keep coming around.” A light blush spread across his cheeks and Kai nudged Isaac’s shoulder with his own. He watched as the mooncalf went back into her hole and Kai felt a sense of accomplishment with how the entire evening had unfolded. He hadn’t expected Isaac to make an appearance. Definitely hadn’t expected Isaac to admit his deep, dark secret, and hadn’t imagined in a million years that he’d get to share his excitement of the mooncalf with another. University was turning out to be full of good surprises and Kai, for the first time in awhile, found himself excited for something. 

Bending down to pick his bag up off of the ground, Kai swung it over his shoulder and started to walk backwards out of the creature quarters. He motioned for Isaac to follow him, the grin wide on his face. “C’mon. Feel like walking me back to my room? I’ll protect ya from all of the other creatures lurking ‘round here..”

Isaiah took his time following Kai to the establishment. Thank Merlin, it’s not full tonight, he thought. He has been to the Three Broomsticks many times before but that night, he felt as if he were walking to a brand new place. It’s not like he has never been there during a drinking night before either. Entering with the intention to actually drink, he sees the Three Broomsticks like he has never before. Usually the drunken jives of the locals get drowned out in the background and becomes white noise. Tonight, it was the only thing Isaiah could hear.

Timidly, he followed Kai towards the bar and sat on the stool beside him. So this is how you get drinks, he thought. He watched the barkeep move away to prepare their drinks and probably look for some hangover potions. “I don’t really drink. Full stop. With or without company,” he replied. He didn’t know that people did that. Drink alone. Unless they were horrible drunkards. Wasn’t drinking more of a social thing? That’s why he was partially surprised when Kai appeared to be really excited to go drinking. He didn’t figure Kai to be a social butterfly who frequent parties nor did he seem like a drunkard. “So … is drinking a pastime of yours?” As if on cue, the barkeep appeared placed two pints of beer in front of them before placing two tiny glasses containing a clear liquid. Isaiah figured that those were the hangover potions. He was waiting for the barkeep to ask why they needed the potions so early in the night but he didn’t say anything. It probably happens more often than Isaiah figured. He took one of the bottles and unscrewed its tiny lid off. “Well I guess, here we go?” He raised the bottle. “Cheers.”

Kai turned towards Isaiah, his mouth wide and eyes filled with surprise. “You don’t drink? What??” He asked in a teasing tone and reached out with his elbow to lightly nudge the other. “It’s a good thing this is for educational purposes then?” It was always refreshing when Kai met someone different than him. He took it as an opportunity to learn something new which, in his book, was always worth it in the end. And Isaiah was like a breath of fresh air. So completely different than Kai and the rebels he called his friends.

With a shrug of his shoulders, Kai brought his hands up to the bar and turned back to watch the barkeep. He wouldn’t call drinking a pastime of his. No, his favorite way to past the time was learning something new or doing something adventurous, usually on his own. Drinking wasn’t a hobby for Kai. He shook his head, turning to look at Isaiah before answering. “I wouldn’t call it a pastime or a hobby but I do enjoy a nice pint every now and then. I guess I’m one of the rare ones that like drinking for the taste not the way it makes me feel.”

He reached for the glass of clear liquid the same time that Isaiah did and mimicked the other’s movements. He cheered Isaiah back before bringing the glass to his lips and taking the potion in one swallow. At first his mouth tingled and a shiver ran through his body. He could feel the potion course through his body and he felt good. More awake than he had been before and the funny part was that he hadn’t even started drinking yet. And with that feeling, Kai leaned forward, elbows on the bar, and grabbed a hold of his pint. He brought the cool glass to his lips and gulped some of it down easily. “Ahh.” He grinned as he set the glass and instead reached for the basket of peanuts in front of them courtesy of the barkeep. Kai moved the basket between the two of them before snapping open a peanut and popping it into his mouth. “So if you don’t drink what do you like to do for fun, Isaiah?”

Isaiah crossed his arms and let out a huff of breath. He didn’t want to be like this. Difficult. He could see that the other man was excited with the whole prospect of drinking. He wondered whether this was coming from the chance to do it for the project or coming from another reason entirely. All the same, Isaiah was hesitant. But he knew that they had to do this and Kai was already giving him some kind of an out. “Deal, he said. “You get drunk, and I’ll be the one with the responsibility not to forget that this is ultimately for our project.”

“About that …” Isaiah began but hesitated. Along with the not drinking part came the not really knowing where the best place to drink part. Sure he knows a place or two that sold alcoholic beverages. That didn’t mean that he should ever be asked for advice where to drink though. But Isaiah already weaseled out of something earlier. He wasn’t just about to do the same thing to someone twice in one night. He shook his head. “You know what, I’ll just do that.” He got out  his wand and thought about where they could go. There’s Deja Vu. But he has never been there, making apparating before it a problem. He didn’t want to accidentally send both of them somewhere else or worse … Three Broomsticks! They sold alcoholic drinks right? He thought. At least he’s been there and chances of apparating to somewhere else was unlikely

“Hold on to me tightly,” he told his companion, offering his left forearm. He double checked just in case they left anything and once he was sure they were all set, Isaiah pictured the pub clearly in his mind. With a flick of his wand and after a couple of seconds have passed, they found themselves in front of the pub. Isaiah was slightly nauseated, but he figured it was mostly due to apprehension from what they were about to do rather than the fact they just apparated. “First we need to get ourselves some hang-over cure potion.”

Kai peeked out from under his long lashes to see if Isaiah was buying his whole plan. He wasn’t sure why it was so important that they do this now. Maybe it was that spur of the moment flare up in Kai that made him want to be with someone instead of alone. Or maybe the idea of a drunk with someone who could end up being a friend was too good to pass up. But looking over at Isaiah with his arms crossed over his chest and a stern yet puzzled look upon his face, Kai realized he might have pushed too hard. But then Isaiah agreed and Kai threw his first up into the air and hissed, “Yess!”

Isaiah was full of surprises and Kai was eager to spend more time with him to see what other secrets lurked beneath his surface. For a second, after asking where to go, Kai saw doubt cross over the other’s face and he was worried that Isaiah might have changed his mind about going out with him. He waited with bated breath as Isaiah hesitated with his words and he didn’t let it go until he heard the name of the place they were going. See? Full of surprises..

Walking towards the other student, Kai took his offered arm and gripped it tightly. Apparating was never his first choice of transportation but he couldn’t deny that it was the quickest. He braced himself by taking in a deep breath and closing his eyes. 1..2..And then suddenly they were swirling upwards and Kai felt like he was being pushed up into a tight funnel. His face hurt and his chest felt heavy but as quickly as it had started it was over. He stumbled away from Isaiah and fought back the urge to be sick. A few deep breaths later he was feeling back to normal and he looked up to see that they were standing in front of the Three Broomsticks.

He walked inside, waving his hand for Isaiah to follow. The establishment wasn’t busy but it wasn’t dead either. Kai made his way to the bar and slid into a stool before flagging down the barkeep. “Oy! Two pints please and if you’ve got any hangover potions on hand we’ll take two of those.” Sometimes bars kept stock of hangover potions for the patrons that got to be a bit much as the night goes on. It was worth a shot to see if they had any tonight. “So I take it you’re not a big partier?” Kai asked as he turned in his stool to face Isaiah with a grin. “I’m not much of one either but I do enjoy alcohol. Mostly by myself though.”

The change of color in the other wasn’t lost on Isaac. In fact it was quite welcoming and to know that he’d made Kai’s day in some fashion was a reward in itself. They’d only just met but he could tell there was more to this one than met his eye. Perhaps it wasn’t something he needed to uncover all in one night. There’s always something about a mystery that wet Isaac’s appetite just right.

“I don’ kno’ tha’ they coul’ve really kept it fro’ everyone. No’ now anyway. Seems almos’ as impor’an’ ta us as it does the res’ o’ the muggle worl’.” Isaac gave a shallow shrug and sighed softly. He couldn’t really remember a time when technology wasn’t around. Perhaps because his father hadn’t really given up that part of his life and his mother seemed to allow whatever made things easier for her. He just never questioned it or had any desire to. But maybe it wasn’t something to learn from and maybe it was just something to pass the time. Though he did find it interesting that the original school was so quick to push it out the door and now it seemed to be a moot point. And thankfully he’d figured that out just in time for the next question.

Isaac simply smiled and shook his head. “Ya ca’ use it o’ dam’ near eve’ythin’.” He replied softly, mostly he’d used the charm for changing the colors of his candies and even a few plants he cared for but there was just something about being able to do it that at will that excited him to no end. “Plus I li’e seein’ differen’ possibilities.” 

He quite liked the thought of potion brewing. At least that was an art Isaac could truly appreciate. Perhaps not to the degree that Kai did but he could understand the art behind that sort of craft. But instead he just let Kai continue on. Painting his picture as he pleased and Isaac went right along with him. It was funny the way Kai spoke, it really was easy to see all of this for him. Maybe it was because Isaac liked to want everyone to win but he’d like to think that, especially with Kai, that feelings about certain things were a good sign. Even if he’d felt a little unsure, darker than Isaac was used to. He welcomed all that excited energy this one brought with him. 

“Tha’s really somethin’ though.” He’d finally gotten out after Kai posed the same question to him. While he wanted to ask more about what Kai had planned that little voice came back and nipped right at that curiosity. Not all in one night. And not to mention the question he’d posed was quite a doozy of one.

Isaac took one last bite from the cheesecake before he’d answered. The creamy goodness being swallowed as if that was all he needed to come up with an answer. “I haven’ though’ tha’ fa’ ahead ye’.” He answered honestly. “’spose if I coul’ pick I’ say ‘straya. Familiar an’ I know my ways aroun’ dow’ the’e.” A small smile pulled at his lips as he’d thought of how perfect Australia had been for him and how out of sorts he’d felt in a different hemisphere. That he knew he wasn’t the only one feeling that way. They all had for different reasons and this and that. “Bu’ thin’s always change so fo’ now I’ say ‘m a bi’ of a gypsy. Wantin’ ta see the worl’ maybe even conquer a few mountains.” He shrugged, trying not to smile like he was. But it was curious. He wasn’t entirely sure all the experiences he had up until that point would cause him to find somewhere else he’d want to live but it did cause a peculiar string of thinking.

His hand ran over his stomach and he sighed softly, leaning back until he was laying almost completely flat. While he’d not eaten so much what he did have was rather heavy and well he just flat out wasn’t used to consuming something so rich. Not to mention Kai made things feel calm. Or maybe that was Isaac. It wasn’t unheard for his powers to come back on him and have similar effects to the ones he’d released. “I don’ thin’ I ca’ stomach another bi’e.” He chuckled softly and peered up at the other., “’s really very goo’.” His head tipped to the side and he’d started to think of something else to ask but a part of him just wanted to keep hearing Kai speak about whatever. Hell he could have read the whole manual on proper magical care and Isaac would have been just fine.

“Was somethin’ ya’d like ta accomplish this yea’?” He asked curiously, it was a bit personal but he had his end game but that couldn’t be all Kai was after. “Personally.” He added quickly, knowing full and well this one would gush about it all if he hadn’t given some sort of perimeters. 

As far as blind dates go, Kai realized how lucky he was that he was paired up with Isaac. There hadn’t been any lulls in the conversation and no awkward pauses. The conversation between the two of them flowed easily. It was as if they had been friends in the past and had been reunited. Every word that slipped past Isaac’s lips were fascinating. Bouncing questions off of each other had seemed silly and forced at first but Kai loved hearing Isaac’s answers. Just as much as he loved sharing bits and pieces of himself with Isaac.

“I get that,” Kai replied to Isaac’s comment about different possibilities with the colovaria charm made sense. Over the years Kai had done the same with potions. Testing different ingredients and going about potions in a different light in order to see if there’d be a different outcome. Sometimes it works, most times it didn’t. “Sometimes I do that with potions too. Mix things up just to see what difference it makes. I never know what to expect and I like the surprise of it all, you know? The suspense of it all. I’m convinced that method will help me make a potion that’ll make me a lot of money one day.”

“So you miss it?” Kai said after a moment. Of course, Isaac missed home. Who wouldn’t? I don’t. He reminded himself but then again if his mum were still around he’d definitely miss her. There was nothing left back home for him now. As soon as he could he moved out and got away from his bastard step father. “My mum loved Australia. It was probably one of her favorite places to travel to.” Ohh, the stories she told would keep Kai entertained for hours. And for someone who loved their home very much, it was fascinating to hear Isaac talk about wanting to explore the world also. That was something Kai admired about the man. “Well, no matter where you go, you’ll always have your roots back home and that’s important.”

Kai watched as Isaac leaned back. He shoved the last bit of the sandwich into his mouth and then did the same. The two laid side by side just barely touching. It was hard to believe that Kai was more interested in the man next to him than being in the creatures quarters. Something like this...had never happened before, but he liked it. Liked that smitten feeling he had. “It was really good,” Kai commented, turning to face Isaac with a grin on his face. “I was expecting the food or the company to be as good as it was. I got very lucky with this whole date thing tonight.”

Looking back up at the sky, Kai pondered the question for a bit silently. What did he want to accomplish? He had so many side projects and then his own university approved studies. The world was his oyster now that the university was opened. But still...most days he still felt lost and had no idea what he wanted to do or which direction to go. Some days he knew, other days he questioned everything.

Personally.

Kai’s brow furrowed and he shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know,” He muttered nervously and crossed his arms over his chest. “I guess make some friends. Experience some new shit. Live my best life? As you can tell I put a lot of myself into academics and that leaves little time for a social life. So I guess if I wanted to accomplish something it would be to have a better balance? I don’t want to go through life not experiencing things because I’m scared or because I’m too busy with school stuff. I want to make memories here.”

“I mean, don’t get me wrong, I know we need to do this at one point or the other if we’re going to push through with the anti-hangover potion, but…” Isaiah stammered and left what he said hanging in the air.. That doesn’t mean we have to do this now, he finished the sentence in head, aware of how pathetic that sounded.

He shook his head with his eyebrows furrowed in an attempt to clear it. “Yes, I agree,” he managed. Isaiah was trying to organize his thoughts in order while trying to come up with a way to get out of this without looking like a wimp. “But part of this experiment is also seeing what effects of drinking the hangover cure before drinking alcohol there could be. We don’t know how that’ll affect us - er, you.” Even as he said that, he knew that his partner will still probably insist on it.

Isaiah knew that Kai wasn’t trying to undermine him or insinuate anything, but he felt the weight of what Kai didn’t mean to say anyway. Isaiah can handle bullies goading him to do something that he didn’t want. Those were easy for him to walk away from. Intimidation of that kind was almost always just full of hot air and he knew that giving in would mean giving the bully exactly what they want. And Isaiah never gave them the satisfaction. Friendly challenges however were harder to turn down. Kai might be honest in saying that he didn’t mind taking one for the team, but Isaiah didn’t like being called dull.

Finally, he sighed. ”Fine, I’ll drink the hangover potion and I’ll have a couple of drinks.” He might as well, at least, the sooner they start, the sooner he can get over it. “But - I’m not going to get drunk. This experiment will be for nothing if we’re both useless.”

Maybe he was pushing too hard. Sometimes that happened. While Kai had a lot of friends here and there he didn’t have any that he actually hung out with. Most of the time he ended up by himself or with his pets. In the last few weeks he had seen Isaac on and off. Being around someone, even a partner for a school assignment, was...fun. He had forgotten almost what it was like to just have some good old company for a change.

Kai turned at the door, pressed his back against it, and turned to regard Isaiah. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Isaiah. I’m more than happy to take one for the team. You can have drink or ten. It’s totally and completely up to you.” And maybe Isaiah would decide to live a little. Maybe he wouldn’t. As long as their project got done and worked, Kai really didn’t care.

Kai clapped his hands and bounced on the balls of his feet when Isaiah finally let his wall down a little and agreed to drink the hangover potion and a couple of drunks. “Fine. I’ll get drunk and you can babysit and drink however little or much you want. Then we will have the research we need for part two of our project.” Kai took a few steps towards Isaiah, reaching his hand out. “Deal?” He raised a challenging brow at the other as he waited. “And while you’re at it how about you apparate us to wherever you want to drink?”

This had been his parents’ fear when he’d gotten accepted to university here. Of course Isaac naively believed that he was ready and could handle himself as an adult and also being what he was. Being raised around mostly muggles and those like him, it was hard to comprehend when people had such big reactions to him. Of course he knew it was a possibility, the rate at which he’d caught himself slipping was alarming and tonight it was completely unexpected. At least it’d been Kai and not someone else. Hid mother would have absolutely been at her wits end if she knew but he felt he could trust him. At least from the little he knew of him it didn’t seem as though there was malice of any sort he could sense anywhere in him. 

Kai coming towards him caused him to hold his breath. He couldn’t know for sure what it was that the other wanted or was going to say but he could prepare himself for damn near anything but what he’d actually said. While the elders of the their small community had always warned about this, Isaac couldn’t help himself from melting a little at how kind the other had been about all of this. His fingers lightly bumped against his palm as he’d held him, reassuring him for something that should have been his own. Isaac still felt bad that he’d snatched this away and added another component to complicate the night with. Not to mention how it’d made his affection for the raven grow ever more. Isaac nodded, smiling small at the admission. He nodded his head quickly to agree with him, not sure it was the appropriate response but it was one of the only ones he could muster at the moment. Mostly just stunned that Isaac had been guessed and confirmed it just as quickly.

He wasn’t ready to try with the mooncalf and a part of Kai must have known for how he kept looking at him. Isaac felt rubbed raw all over. Not something he particularly liked or wanted to continue. It’d be safe to say he’d felt more comfortable under his secret far more than he’d realized but when Kai insisted and extended out his hand, how could Isaac say no? He’d bit his lower lip a  moment looking from the other’s hand to his face and back again. It was so hard to tell him no. Especially because Kai was one of the very first people he’d met when he arrived. He wasn’t like the others and especially not like Apollo in any sense. If nothing else Isaac just wanted to bask in that curious fascination Kai always seemed to carry with him for damn near everything. “Alrigh’. alrigh’.” He spoke under his breath and took the other’s hand.

He’d stolen enough of the other’s time and if he were being perfectly honest he’d just wanted some time to calm himself. What stuck out most was that he didn’t want to do it on his own. No instead he’d felt comfortable enough to stand there with Kai despite the rest of it. That spoke louder to him than it probably should have but so far all his gut instincts hadn’t been disastrous. At least not overly so. Isaac squeezed the other’s hand a bit and stepped up with him, watching the small creature curiously. “Than’ ya.” He whispered softly, their fingers lacing and he squeezed onto Kai. He probably didn’t need to say anything but he’d felt guilty for reacting that way. And because he was grateful. It could have gone several other ways and the fact that it had chosen this avenue meant more than he cared to disclose to anyone, himself included.

“Wha’s this little one’s name?” He asked as he turned back to look at Kai and he felt his stomach knot substantially tighter now that Isaac was done acting like a complete and utter idiot. Kai hadn’t deserved that and he wasn’t entirely sure how to make it up to him but he’d find something.

The moment Isaac’s hand slid in his, Kai felt relief and happiness. For a split second he thought that after the Slytherin’s confession, he would be too ashamed to stay. Too fearful of what Kai thought about him. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case because Kai was determined to show Isaac the mooncalf so he knew that he was normal. So that he really believed he wasn’t just a veela. Kai wanted him to understand that it just made him special but it didn’t define him. He had said it but it wasn’t entirely convinced Isaac knew that. So Kai was determined to show him.

“There’s nothing to thank me for.” He tugged Isaac forward until they were standing in front of the calf. It lazily looked up at them and then its gaze settled on Isaac. Kai wasn’t scared though. He could see the curiosity on the creature’s face. It wasn’t scared or upset. It didn’t sense anything from Isaac or if it did, it wasn’t something bad. “Just go slow,” He instructed with a wide grin and Kai guided the Slytherin’s towards the calf slowly and cautiously. At first it sniffed the air above Isaac’s hand and then it pulled its head back making a snorting noise. Besides him, he felt Isaac tense up but Kai shook his head, looking back at Isaac encouragingly. “Just give it a moment. They’re big on trust. It’s not because of you.”

Kai didn’t know the calf’s official name yet. But he knew what he called her. Though he was proud of the name and thought it was funny, he was feeling shy in the moment. Instead, his fingers slid up Isaac’s hand to his wrist where Kai gripped it lightly and once again, he guided the other’s hand towards the calf.

“I call her Moolissa,” Kai finally admitted as a blush spread across his cheeks. Because if Isaac was going to do this he needed to be comfortable and maybe knowing her name would help. He turned away from Isaac just in time to see the mooncalf tilt her head against the palm of the Slytherin’s hand. On the inside, Kai was jumping for fucking joy but on the outside he remained calm and neutral as to not scare her. “See!” He whispered excitedly as he turned back to check on Isaac. “It’s just a part of you. That doesn’t mean it defines you. You’re allll Isaac and that’s all that matters. Nothing else.”

“I - er - I’ve drank before…” Isaiah began, suddenly feeling very conscious. It was never a big deal to him before. His friends from Hogwarts before University weren’t that big on drinking. He didn’t really have a chance back home either to have anything more than one or two glasses of wine since he didn’t have any siblings, all his other cousins are from various age ranges different from his, and, well, drinking with your parents was unthinkable. He hasn’t had the chance to get drunk since entering the University as well. ”But no… I’ve never been hungover… or drunk,” he added sheepishly. 

Isaiah was confused as he watched Kai pack up his belongings on the table. “Wait…” It took him a couple of moments to register what his potions partner said before he started to pack his own things, albeit reluctantly. He wrapped the remaining pastries he brought inside the piece cloth they were on and placed them back inside his bag. Unsure of what Kai was planning exactly, Isaiah slung his bag over his shoulder slowly. “Are you saying we should get drunk?” 

He knew that he was probably going to end up drunk in University at some point but he didn’t expect it to be that soon. And he especially didn’t expect that the first time he’ll get drunk was for an academic requirement. “Wait, wait, wait.” Isaiah stopped Kai before he can get a chance to drag him out of the classroom. “What we’ll be doing is basically an experiment, right? So we’ll need an observer. What say you, that you try it out and I’ll take down notes? It’s -” Isaiah was stalling and making excuses , but that didn’t make what he said to be any less true. “It’s a lot more safer that way, too.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying!” Kai exclaimed and before Isaiah could argue, because he could see the heistation in his face, he continued quickly, “And I have a feeling you’re going to say no but think about it for a second. Really think about it. There are the usual things associated with a hangover like a headache or feeling groggy. Some people get stuffy noses after a night of drinking and others sleep all day. I really think it’ll be beneficial to experience it first hand in order to figure out those little symptoms that aren’t widely considered hangover symptoms.”

There had been plenty of times where he had been hungover but he couldn't really describe how it felt besides just feeling gross. Now that there was a project regarding it...well, he felt strongly about it. “Because knowing those small things will set out potion apart from a common hangover cure that only cures the big things.”

Kai paused at the door, one hand on the knob and he turned to face Isaiah. Nope. He still wasn’t convinced. Kai wasn’t surprised. “I’m not going to force you to get drunk for the sake of our project. I’m completely okay with taking one for the team.” After the day he had, a few drinks sounded like heaven and maybe that was the real reason why he was pushing for it so badly. “But I know from personal experience that it isn’t fun babysitting a drunk when you’re not drunk too. So I guess I’ll leave that up to you. No pressure, Isaiah, but it doesn’t hurt to have a little fun too. And isn’t university about making memories too? All work and no play can make ya a dull boy or whatever they say..”

He wished for half a moment that those butterflies in his stomach had come from just Kai. That he wasn’t absolutely terrified when he’d realize what Isaac was. And he would. This one was incredibly smart and a bit more observant than he gave himself credit for.

It was almost like watching a light bulb give off it’s very first shine. The realization hit his face before he’d even opened his mouth. Isaac had felt it and when he looked back at him, he knew beyond a doubt. The word sounded foreign whenever anyone else spoke it. When they weren’t apart of his little community or even one at all. But he didn’t hate it. And he’d hoped that Kai wouldn’t look at him different when he’d finally agreed to what he was saying. Something told him he didn’t have to but out of all the people he’d met so far, Kai deserved to know the truth. Especially because he enjoyed his company. Enjoyed having him around. If that were still a possibility then he’d take it.

“I am.” Isaac answered after a moment, head nodding gently as he’d pulled his hands back to lace through one another and rest against his chest. He wanted to seem more confident about it. Isaac was never ashamed of being part veela but the stigma around it was almost unbearable at times. “’m sorry ‘f I ruined this fo’ ya.” He spoke quietly after. He couldn’t be sure if Kai was looking at him in pure fascination or in pure hatred. He doubted it was the latter but this wasn’t exactly normal circumstances. The fact that he’d developed some kind of feelings for Kai, well that didn’t help much either.

“’f ya wan’ I ca’ go. I uhhh …” He nervously smiled and clutched his arms tighter around his chest. “I don’ wan’ to scare ‘em anymore.” He could’t see the animals were in distress but he’d felt the tension filling the space between them and all the rest around. 

A real veela...well, part veela was standing in the flesh in front of him. Kai’s face broke out into a wide grin and he resisted the sudden urge to reach out and touch Isaac. For someone who was fascinated by magical creatures, who studied them, this was like a dream come true. A million and four questions were running through his mind. What is it like? What can you do? How do you control it? How does it affect your relationships? What was it like growing up? Do you do certain things or take potions to control it? He could learn a ton about veelas through Isaac. That thought alone caused his face to light up.

But then he took in Isaac’s words and Kai pulled himself out of his mind and focused on the man in front of him. Isaac looked terrified and he seemed to be waiting for Kai to confirm how he felt about the whole thing. Shit. He had been so focused on what he could learn from the other that he didn’t take a second to realize how Isaac was feeling in that moment.

“Hey..” Kai stepped towards the Slytherin and reached out, his fingers fumbling against the sleeve of his jacket and he gripped it, tugging Isaac towards him. “Hey, it’s okay. So what you have veela in your blood? You’re you first and veela second. That’s what matters, Isaac. If anything, the veela part just makes you that much more interesting but it doesn’t change who you are in my eyes.”

Kai surprised Isaiah. He sat up straight and listened intently while the other man built on his suggestion. He didn’t think that Kai would actually go for one of the ideas he just randomly blurted out. The Ravenclaw even added on to his idea, thinking as far ahead as where the potion can be used and sold. If this idea does fly then Deja Vu wouldn’t be the only place craving for the potion. If it works then, it’ll not only make Deja Vu a lot of money, it’ll make them a lot of money. And that was something Isaiah definitely didn’t mind.

“That actually sounds brilliant!” He can’t help but feel a little proud of his idea. Sure, the actual potion wasn’t made yet bu Isaiah welcomed every chance he could get to prove that he wasn’t just a klutz or an idiot when it came to potions. He smiled wide.

Isaiah looked over from across the table and saw which recipe Kai was referring to “Yeah. I agree.” Having a foundation for their potion was smart. It would mean not having to create the potion from scratch and would definitely lighten their workload. “Well as for the symptoms …” the Slytherin began as he ran his hand through his hair while he racked his brain thinking about the symptoms they’d want to prevent. The pre-hangover drink was his idea but unfortunately, he didn’t really have any personal experiences to draw from. “ … well I guess the same symptoms an hangover fix prevents? Maybe the question we should ask ourselves is, why can’t someone drink a hangover cure before ingesting alcohol in the first place? Will it not be as effective or will it work even? And if it doesn’t, what makes it not?”

He was happy and relieved all in the same stroke that Isaiah had liked his contribution to the project. He was relieved that they had finally agreed on a potion for their project. That alone was a weight lifted off both of their shoulders. He was excited to see the matching excitement on Isaiah’s face at their progress thus far. For Kai, who didn’t have many close friends, assignments like this gave him the chance to make friends and find people he had things in common with. Especially when that ‘thing in common’ was potions.

Kai grabbed a notebook and began scribbling notes down. He was writing down the ingredients he believed he would need as Isaiah thought over the symptoms of being hungover. When he didn’t say anything, Kai turned to look at him. He studied his face and tilted his head to the side with mild curiosity. “You’ve never been hungover before,” He assumed with a raised brow. “Have you ever been drunk before?” He had to ask because if Isaiah hadn’t….well, Kai thought it was something he should experience as a side project to their main one. And if there was one thing Kai was good at it was drinking himself silly.

You knew better.

It was too late. When he’d stepped back was his first mistake. He could feel the disappointment rolling off Kai in waves that should have never been. Isaac had managed to sour this beautiful moment for him and he felt awful. How was he meant to explain this? 

“No, no, no, no, no.” He shook his head repeatedly, stepping forward and Isaac clasped his hands around both the other’s cheeks. “No Kai.” He spoke softly, looking as softly as he could muster at the man before him. His thumbs lightly stroked over his cheeks and Isaac pulled a small smile, trying to let the other know it was okay. It was his fault. “I’m sorry.” He spoke plainly, head still shaking slightly. He was such an idiot. It probably wouldn’t have been that bad if he’d just touched the damn things. “You didn’t do anything wrong Kai. Nothing at all. I promise.”

All their talk before, of seeing each other again and generally how Kai seemed to just … it was hard to put his finger on exactly what Kai was to him. And perhaps it was foolish to consider but was it? The way the other took such pride in caring for his scorpions and now seeing him like this with those calves, was it possible that maybe it’d be okay to say something.

Isaac sighed and let his hands fall to the other’s shoulders. His eyes couldn’t help but map his face before he’d said more  he wasn’t sure he was quite ready to lose Kai, if he would. “It’s me.” He spoke softly, allowing his hands to fall from him and wrap around his own frame. “I …. I didn’t want them to.” He sighed softly, shaking his head and he covered his face on his palms. “I didn’t want to scare them.”

Kai had never experienced Isaac like this. Frantic. Apologetic. A little bit of a spaz. The Isaac he had come to know was calm and collected. Curious and wouldn’t have been scared of a harmless moon calf. It didn’t make sense especially when Isaac had been excited a moment ago. But Kai also understood that when he was passionate about something he turned into a pusher. In front of him were two things he was becoming quite passionate about. His blossoming friendship with Isaac and his progress with the moon calf.

Suddenly Isaac’s hands were on his cheeks and Kai was forced to look at him. Not that he put up much of a fight. Mostly he was just confused and slightly worried that Isaac’s random outburst would cause the trust between him and the moon calf. And then there was the fact that Isaac was stroking his cheeks in a desperate yet soothing way. He couldn’t focus because this was the closest they had ever been together. But wait. He shook himself out of the distracting way Isaac was touching him and focused on what he was saying.

I’m sorry. You didn’t do anything. I promise.

Then why…? Oh. “What do you mean it’s you?” Isaac’s hands fell to Kai’s shoulders and he shuddered at the touch but his gaze didn’t move from Isaac’s face. He studied every inch of his features to see if he could find the answer in them. He almost missed what Isaac had said. And that was all the confirmation he needed. The puzzle pieces were scattered but Kai was slowly putting them together. Isaac was scared of scaring the moon calves. They were fine with humans. Kai had proved that to him. He lectured Isaac on how they react to other magical beings. That’s when Isaac started being weird. That’s when his mood flipped.

Isaac wasn’t human.

He was afraid to go to the moon calf because he didn’t know how it would react to him. It all made sense. But what was he? Kai glanced to the full moon and then back to Isaac. Not a werewolf. He thought back to Isaac’s smile when they were on their date and he didn’t remember seeing fangs. Not half vampire. Kai didn’t bother with half elf or half troll because that wasn’t worth it and it was obvious Isaac wasn’t either. That just left one half-breed. And it made sense. Hadn’t Kai felt drawn to him on their date? When Isaac held his hand didn’t Kai absolutely melt into him? 

“You’re part veela.” It wasn’t a question. The finally piece of the puzzle was placed and it all came together. “You’re part veela,” Kai repeated the words, looking into Isaac’s eyes since he wasn’t confirming it right away. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

As much as he’d been quick to stroke Kai’s ego the other didn’t realize he was doing the very same. Of course how could he? It wasn’t what he was normal to hear when it came to his own kind or any creatures for that matter. It wasn’t very often you would come across someone that didn’t deem them, or him, a half-breed and therefore not as worthy or lesser. It truly did warm his entire being hearing his date say that. It wasn’t very often he lucked out, though it seemed the this place was far more up his alley than he’d realized and he was truly starting to appreciate it.

“I imagine i’s a very differen’ feelin’ than jus’ usin’ a wand.” He added, which it was. The magic he’d had wasn’t as easily controlled like it could with a wand. If anything there were a lot of times when he’d felt like he could lose total control. But he’d had the upper hand of a very strict upraising, proper use and control. And as he was starting to learn, that maybe he’d repressed more of it than even he realized. What his Mum told him he’d taken for face value, the other children with their clan were instructed the very same and it never raised any flags. But he was older now. He’d had his own experiences and, clearly, he’d been missing out on something. “’d offer ta take ya here bu’ ‘m ‘fraid we may turn in ta freeze pops.” What it was Isaac wasn’t willing to linger in that night. This was meant to be shared with his date and he couldn’t deny that sharing a meal with him was turning out better than he’d even imagined.

Isaac simply chuckled as Kai spoke about a memory. It was quite funny for them to attempt to fix something clearly out of bounds for the both of them. Then again Isaac couldn’t say he wouldn’t have tried to find a way around it too. The sound of nature was something everyone should enjoy. It was pure and made no apologies for how it’d went about it’s way. “I mus’ say a’ leas’ they didn’ apply tha’ ta uni, righ’?” Isaac bumped into the other’s side. He was almost sad he didn’t get the chance to experience the actual school itself. But for the way most of the returning students spoke about it, he wasn’t entirely sure it was a place for him. A lot of places weren’t really for him either. Maybe that’s a sign ….

“’spose tha’s a fair one. Can’ say I really remember either.” Once he’d heard Kai’s answer, Isaac leaned in to grab a bite from the sandwich in the other’s hand. Chewing slowly he’d mauled over the second part Kai had given him. His fingers cleared off any crumbs from the corners of his mouth. “’d say.” He swallowed the last of his bite and leaned back on his head, stretching out a bit more comfortably next to his date. “One spell the res’ o’ my life … i’d have ta be colovaria.” He explained as his smiled grew. “’s a silly spell bu’ I ‘spose color is jus’ somethin’ tha’s always tickled me in a sort of way.” You should see my parents’ house.

Another bite of the cheesecake and he’d sat it on his lap, cutting off another bite for Kai when he was ready. Though most probably wouldn’t have found sitting in a stable the most romantic of settings, this had a different ring to it. At least for Isaac it had or perhaps it was just Kai in general. “Since we’re o’ the subject o’ favorite o’ last of somethin’, wha’s one thin’ ya’d enjoy learnin’ before ya leave here?”

“Really?” He turned his head up in surprise at the offer. Most people would say that just to be kind but he could tell by Isaac’s tone that he meant it. Wow. He grinned from ear to ear and for a moment imagined himself attempting to surf. Kai didn’t know much about it but knew enough to know that it was probably difficult. He wondered if he should mention to Isaac that he didn’t know how to swim. But then he worried that might change the other’s offer. So he kept quiet about that. Instead, he turned back to his take out box in order to hide the blush that spread across his cheeks and even down to his neck. “That would be cool,” He mumbled.

“I was surprised by the whole inserting muggle technology. Mostly because it wasn’t allowed at Hogwarts.” It seemed like the magic community had been torn up around accepting it and rejecting technology. And then there was the few in the middle who didn’t care either way. Kai was in the middle. He learned the basics of it but other than that didn’t bother much with it. Though he did like that he could listen to his favorite music on the mobile he had. He didn’t like that anyone with his number could reach him at any time though. “But I guess times change, right? And I bet it makes the muggleborns feel more at home now so that’s good.”

“Colovaria?” Kai asked with a curious glance towards Isaac. He took another bite of the sandwich and swallowed. He knew of the color changing spell but Kai couldn’t recall a time he had used it. “What do you use it for? If it’s the spell you’d want to do for the rest of your life I imagine you must use it a lot then. I think if I had to pick one it’d be accio so I could be lazy forever,” Kai joked with a small laugh. Accio probably wouldn’t have been his pick but it did make for a good joke. Kai wasn’t sure he could pick just one spell for the rest of his life. Magic had always been so important to his mum and then to him. It would be a shame if it was restricted.

Kai leaned forward and took a bite of cheesecake, savoring the flavor. With each bite it got better and better. He hadn’t expected the food at Puddifoot’s to be so damn good. He’d have to make it more a habit to visit the establishment...when it wasn’t decorated from floor to ceiling with pink and red hearts and sparkles. Maybe if he was lucky again Isaac would join him..

It was a hard question because Kai was wildly curious about everything and anything he could get his hands on. He was always up for learning something new for the sake of learning. Which was why, when the uni opened, he knew he’d be the first in line to come back. This time he had more freedom to study anything he wanted. Well, almost anything. His thirst for knowledge was unwavering.

“I want to learn how to make more advanced potions. I’m certain that after school I’m going to open up my own shop. Back at Hogwarts we were trained on how to brew potions using instructions. It was just memorization there was no passion in it.  I want to make potions that the wizarding world hasn’t seen before. I want to shock and excite people with different concepts of potions. I want students at Hogwarts to study my potions.” It was definitely a dream. One of his many dreams but his most important one. 

Isaiah looked at the other boy, mouth agape in disbelief, before shaking his head. “I’m just going to ignore that you said that,” he said nonchalantly. No, a croissant is definitely not just like a bagel. And what he was saying about not being a breakfast guy? It was a terrible excuse. Croissants are a staple. “Trust me,” he said before the Ravenclaw took his first bite. “It’s better than good`”

He smiled widely as he watched Kai take a couple of bites from the pastry. The only experience better than eating a croissant is watching someone enjoy the bread he loves so much and for the first time at that. Isaiah found himself nodding encouragingly as the other boy ate. “You’re very much welcome by the way.”

Realizing that they were back at the very beginning sobered up Isaiah. Without meaning to, he mirrored his lab partner’s posture and slumped over his own chair. On any other circumstance, Kai’s suggestion was plausible and was surely an acceptable proposal for a brand new potion that they create. Even given Isaiah’s certain.. lapses, one might say, when it comes to brewing a potion correctly during his first time, he would have fought tooth and nail to prove that he was more than capable. But this was a whole different case entirely. The life of a creature, someone else’s pet, was on the line and he’s not willing to risk that.

“Well…” Isaiah trailed a bit. “Let’s go back to the beginning then? What other problems are there right now in university which currently don’t have solutions to?” He asked aloud to no one in particular. Maybe what he needed to do was put on other people’s shoes and look at their problems which he doesn’t necessarily have. “Well there’s a potion to cure hang-overs, but I don’t think there’s one to prevent hang-overs from happening in the first place, if I remember correctly?” The gears in Isaiah’s head were turning. “Or maybe a potion that lets you remember something you’ve forgotten. Like something complementary to a Remembrall? Or maybe a potion that- er- helps you come with ideas?” He was definitely already grasping at straws by the end.

At the mention of ‘going back to the beginning’ Kai rose from his seat and started to pace around the room. He couldn’t sit in front of all of those books and pastries and come up with a plan. More often than not moving around helped him brainstorm and the two needed all the help they could get. With one hand on his hip and the other, rubbing his chin, Kai tried to think of something outside of the box. He circled the table. Something that wasn’t impossible. Another circle around the table. Something that the other students in their class wouldn’t think of. Another lap around the table, this time more slowly because he was getting rather dizzy. Something that would blow their Professor away.

He stopped at the head of the table. By now he was nervously chewing on the ends of his nails. His head snapped towards Isaiah and Kai broke out into a smile. “A pre-hangover potion?” He repeated as his hand fell from his mouth. He was right. There already was a hangover potion but most people took it when they felt the effects of a hangover starting. What if they could change that? They could make a potion that people took before they starting drinking. It would stay in their system. They could even party and drink more without the worry of the morning after.

“I like that. I like that a lot. But also let’s take it further than just a pre-hangover potion. What if we add something to do...like...like...oh, like caffeine! For people who also get tired after drinking? Kind of like...an ‘extend the party but lose the after effects of said party’ potion. We’ll...obviously work on the name BUT if it works I bet Deja Vu will buy a supply of it. They could sell it at the doors and the bar. It’ll make them a shit ton of money!” His mind was blown by Isaiah and this brain child they had made. He was excited because if they could pull this off it would be big. It was something to be proud of and with any good idea like this one, Kai’s fingers itched to start.

“You have never tried one?” Isaiah asked, surprised. That successfully snapped him out of it. “They’re not necessarily sweet, depends on what kind you get and which butter they use-” he began to explain as he reached for the cloth with all the pastries and pulled it across the table so that it’s nearer to Kai. “It’s your lucky day then! It’s a good thing I brought a couple.” It was an outrage that Kai has never tried a croissant from anywhere before. Isaiah might be able to forgive him for not being familiar with the one from Blue Brick Cafe, but to not be familiar with croissants in general? It was a crime.

Isaiah thought about Kai’s situation. “I’m not sure whether your situation is better, to be honest,” the Slytherin grimaced. “That’s 10 minutes less of sleep everyday.” In all honesty, half of the time that Isaiah’s running late was because he slept for a minute longer or two. Sleep, Isaiah found, was something that’s very hard to compromise with.

“Oh no.” Isaiah was genuinely worried for his partner’s scorpion. He was glad that his hedgehog didn’t experienced the same thing. Sure, Needle took a while to get used to the new environment but once Isaiah connected the cage to the plastic tunnels he installed around his dorm so that Needle can run around, the hedgehog went back to normal. Still, he understood what any owner might go through if they can’t find a way to cure their pet. “Have you brought her to anyone to get her checked up? Are you sure you want us to test our potions on  her?”

Kai sighed and nodded his head. “I haven’t. I mean, I’ve had a bagel before...that’s...kind of close, right?” No.. It was a stretch but he still tried to sneak it past the other. “I guess I’m just not a breakfast guy. Never liked pancakes or eggs. I usually stick to just tea or coffee when I’m desperate for a caffeine kick…” Kai watched with a careful gaze as Isaiah pulled the cloth towards him only to discover that he had actually brought a croissant to their study party. Kai laughed, immediately covering his mouth and shaking his head as his laughter died down. “Okay, okay but it better be good!”

He pulled the napkin closer to him and Kai got comfortable in his chair. He tucked one left beneath his body and sat up straight. His hands rubbed together as he eyed the pastry. “Here goes nothing..” Kai took the croissant into his hands and pulled it apart. He took a bite out of it and his eyes nearly rolled into the back of his head. Wow. It was like eating a cloud. A bread cloud. It wasn’t sweet but it wasn’t not sweet. It was light and airy and damn near melted in his mouth. The only thing that would have made it better is if it had a drop of half melted butter on top. “Okay,” Kai mumbled around the bit in his mouth as he chewed it. Once he swallowed it, another bite followed. “Okay, this is pure heaven.”

He set the other half of the croissant down and wiped his hands on his jeans. No. He didn’t want to test anything on his scorpion but if there was a chance he could help her how could he not take it? “Of course I have,” Kai spoke quietly, his shoulders dropping in defeat. “I’ve done everything I can think of. I mean, I’ve got her stable now but not by much and it isn’t going to last me much longer…” He more he talked about it the more he realized it was a bad idea for their project but was definitely something he could pursue on his own. “Okay, then I guess we’re back at square one with no idea yet?” He sighed, and cross his arms over his chest, leaning back on his chair. “What do we do now?”

You ever just find something and know you’re meant to do that for the rest of your life? Wow that stung. Isaiah was glad that was rhetorical because he genuinely doesn’t know what to answer to that question and he didn’t really feel like admitting that to a potions partner whom he just really met. He didn’t want to come up with a lie either. Instead, he just listened to Kai go on and talk which wasn’t at all difficult. The Ravenclaw was at his element and his passion was infectious. For a second, Isaiah entertained the thought that maybe Potions is where his true passion lies too. He was saddened when Kai abruptly stopped. He hoped he did’t accidentally do something to dishearten the other boy. Isaiah smiled encouragingly, hoping that Kai would know it was okay. “And that’s…” he searched for the right word, “honestly really remarkable. And I can see it, you know. I have no doubt you’ll continue on after University.”

“Oh they do, and I am. I love their tea.” He smiled as he watched Kai ate the cookie. It was such a simple source of joy for Isaiah to see other people enjoy the food at Blue Brick, but it was a very welcome one. “Although, I’m more of a croissant man, myself.” “Oh if alarms don’t help, I doubt watches can. I need magic, I tell ya,” he confessed. But Isaiah wondered, would there really be no magical solution to being late all the time? Someone managed to brew a potion to make someone lucky for Merlin’s sake. Surely punctual was an easier feat compared to being lucky. Isaiah considered Kai’s suggestion. “Hmmm. That might work. Although, can we be sure that hasn’t been done before?”

Isaiah grew quiet and for a brief moment, Kai worried that he had bombarded the other student with too much information about his own hobbies. That was a thing Kai always worried about often. Was he bothering him? Was he being annoying? Was he going on and on and on with no end with no end in sight? Because sometimes that did happen and he tried to dial it back when he felt he was on the verge of oversharing. Kai took a moment and glanced at Isaiah, trying to read the emotions on his face to see if he had offended the other or even freaked him out a bit. He looked almost...sad for a moment but when Isaiah saw Kai looking, he offered a smile and Kai offered one back.

He shrugged, downplaying his potions involved because he felt it was the right thing to do. Something told him that maybe Isaiah wasn’t too sure about his future and Kai didn’t want it to seem like he was rubbing it in the other’s face. It would be a looong project if they were weird with each other. “We’ll see. A lot can change while I’m here. Maybe I’ll do a complete 180 and take up Quidditch.” That was unlikely considering Kai hadn’t been on a broom in years but he would do anything to lighten the mood in the room.

Kai tilted his head to the side and thought for a moment. Hmm. Had he? He couldn’t recall. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a croissant before actually,” He confessed with a shy grin. “They’re on the sweeter side, right? See...I just can’t imagine that but I’ve also never met a kind of bread I didn’t like so I bet I would like it. Just never thought about trying it before.”

“Really?” He said after a moment, shooting a look of disbelief at the other. “Alarms don’t work? Fuck, that’s tough luck. I swear I always wake up ten minutes before my alarms goes off every single morning.” He thought about if it was possible to brew a potion that worked as an internal alarm for someone prone to missing their alarms, but Kai just didn’t feel like he had the experience. And human test subjects could be very tricky. The last thing he wanted to do was take a potion that hurt himself and Isaiah.