Seb 🐍📚

"Oh, spare me the sympathy, Amit." Seb chuckled once the dress was bought the four making their way out of the shop, each one holding onto the object of their adoration. "He's a strong boy. Did he tell you my girl and him domesticated a graphorn yet?"

Theo perked up, turning towards Sebastian. He hadn't told Amit yet. He hadn't told him most of what he gets up to.

Beatrice lets out a soft laugh at Sebastian’s teasing, her fingers still comfortably intertwined with his as she glances toward Theo with open amusement. "Well," she muses lightly, "that certainly explains the mysterious bruises and disappearing acts."

Beside them, Amit blinks in clear surprise as his attention immediately shifts toward Theo. "…A Graphorn?" he repeats, momentarily abandoning any attempt at composure. There’s unmistakable intrigue in his expression now, brightening almost instantly beneath the initial disbelief.

Theo let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding at noticing Amit took it lightly. There was so much, amd he cared about him even more, but he knew so little, where could he even start?

"You can meet him, if you want." He starts, resting his cheek on Amit's head once again as they walk. "He's not dangerous."

"Bea took him to meet him once." Seb chimes in. "He's brilliant! He's massive and they can ride it like it's a horse!" Seb laughs, giving Bea's hand a prideful squeeze. "Has he really not said anything? You're in for a good time, Amit."

"Oh, really?" Seb laughed, before leaning in to give Bea a kiss. "In front of the boutique lady? On a dress we haven't bought?"

He leaned back, keeping his hands on Beatrice's waist while still looking towards the scandalized owner of the boutique. That playful smile still on his lips.

"Let's pay it and get out of here." He added, although there was still a hit of desire on the glint of his eyes.

At that moment, Theo and Amit entered the shop, Theo's arm still around Amit's. Theo started looking around, as if he was looking for a distraction from the tender contact.

Beatrice lets out a soft laugh at his words, though she makes no real effort to hide the pink blush lingering at her cheeks. "Oh, I'm still very much a lady," she replies lightly, a knowing smile playing at her lips as her gaze meets his. Her fingers linger where they rest against him, settling more comfortably as if the contact feels entirely natural to her and she kisses him back softly.

A brief glance flickers toward the shopkeeper, then back to him, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"…though I’m quite certain she’s seen far worse than a bit of harmless admiration," she adds, softer now, her voice dipping just enough to keep the moment between them. "Do you think she'll let me wear it out if we just pay now?" The dress is far too pretty to change back out of, and she's enjoying the way Seb looks at her in it way too much.

Amit stepped fully into the shop, though his attention lingered far less on the displays than it ought to have. The warmth of Theo’s arm around his hadn’t quite faded, not from his skin, nor from his thoughts and for a moment, he found himself unusually aware of the space between them… or rather, the lack of it.

His gaze drifted politely toward Sebastian and Beatrice, taking in just enough to understand before very deliberately looking elsewhere.

"…It would seem we’ve arrived at a rather inopportune moment," he murmured under his breath, the faintest hint of amusement slipping into his tone despite the color rising to his cheeks. Then, softer and meant only for Theo:

Theo rested his cheek at the top of Amit's head, his heart skipping a beat at the softness of his hair. "I think his decorum was replaced by audacity."

Seb turned towards the boys, his smirk turning mischievous as he walked up to Theo. "Oh, you wish you could do the same with your sweetheart."

Theo bristled up, his pale skin acquiring a rose flush at the comment. He trailed his gaze away, attempting to come up with some witty comeback but coming out with nothing as his arm tightened around Amit's. "...Perhaps."

Seb leaned back, his expression acquiring a glint of self pleasedness as he returned to Bea. "Shall we pay for it, love?" He says, taking her hand and walking up to the boutique lady.

Beatrice notices the cozier proximity between Theo and Amit with a hint of a knowing smile, sensing the energy between them and how hard they appear to be performing normalcy. Seb's comment earns a light giggle and she notices Theo's reaction, clocking it as a subtle confirmation of what she's politely suspected, ever perceptive. Her attention shifts back to Seb, eyes carrying a little sparkle. She can't wait to wear this dress out and show it off, already feeling gorgeous after the way he's been looking at her—something she can never quite get enough of. "Yes." She laces her fingers into his and they approach the shopkeeper who greets them kindly. Smiling, she tells the lady that she would like to keep the dress on while Seb pays for it and she's pleased when it's agreed.

"Oh, spare me the sympathy, Amit." Seb chuckled once the dress was bought the four making their way out of the shop, each one holding onto the object of their adoration. "He's a strong boy. Did he tell you my girl and him domesticated a graphorn yet?"

Theo perked up, turning towards Sebastian. He hadn't told Amit yet. He hadn't told him most of what he gets up to.

"Oh, really?" Seb laughed, before leaning in to give Bea a kiss. "In front of the boutique lady? On a dress we haven't bought?"

He leaned back, keeping his hands on Beatrice's waist while still looking towards the scandalized owner of the boutique. That playful smile still on his lips.

"Let's pay it and get out of here." He added, although there was still a hit of desire on the glint of his eyes.

At that moment, Theo and Amit entered the shop, Theo's arm still around Amit's. Theo started looking around, as if he was looking for a distraction from the tender contact.

Beatrice lets out a soft laugh at his words, though she makes no real effort to hide the pink blush lingering at her cheeks. "Oh, I'm still very much a lady," she replies lightly, a knowing smile playing at her lips as her gaze meets his. Her fingers linger where they rest against him, settling more comfortably as if the contact feels entirely natural to her and she kisses him back softly.

A brief glance flickers toward the shopkeeper, then back to him, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"…though I’m quite certain she’s seen far worse than a bit of harmless admiration," she adds, softer now, her voice dipping just enough to keep the moment between them. "Do you think she'll let me wear it out if we just pay now?" The dress is far too pretty to change back out of, and she's enjoying the way Seb looks at her in it way too much.

Amit stepped fully into the shop, though his attention lingered far less on the displays than it ought to have. The warmth of Theo’s arm around his hadn’t quite faded, not from his skin, nor from his thoughts and for a moment, he found himself unusually aware of the space between them… or rather, the lack of it.

His gaze drifted politely toward Sebastian and Beatrice, taking in just enough to understand before very deliberately looking elsewhere.

"…It would seem we’ve arrived at a rather inopportune moment," he murmured under his breath, the faintest hint of amusement slipping into his tone despite the color rising to his cheeks. Then, softer and meant only for Theo:

Theo rested his cheek at the top of Amit's head, his heart skipping a beat at the softness of his hair. "I think his decorum was replaced by audacity."

Seb turned towards the boys, his smirk turning mischievous as he walked up to Theo. "Oh, you wish you could do the same with your sweetheart."

Theo bristled up, his pale skin acquiring a rose flush at the comment. He trailed his gaze away, attempting to come up with some witty comeback but coming out with nothing as his arm tightened around Amit's. "...Perhaps."

Seb leaned back, his expression acquiring a glint of self pleasedness as he returned to Bea. "Shall we pay for it, love?" He says, taking her hand and walking up to the boutique lady.

"Let's go." Seb started as he leaned in. His nose caressed the side of Bea's neck, taking in that soft and delicious scent that's so uniquely hers. "Before I see myself forced to eat you up in the middle of the boutique." He added, Bea could hear his smirk on his voice.

Theo hums in agreement, enjoying each ine of the subtle little touches they shared.

"What do you want to do?" He asks softly, doing his best attempt to ignore how bad the way Amit looked at him made him want to kiss him.

Oh? That definitely got Bea's attention. and her breath catches just slightly, a rosy warmth blooming at her cheeks with his words and his closeness. She would not mind that at all, the idea sending a flutter of excitement through her despite being in a public boutique.

"Is that so?" she murmurs, her voice low, touched with quiet amusement despite her blush and leaning into his touch. Her fingers curl slightly in his sleeve, holding him there rather than creating distance before they pay for the dress she's modeling for him. "…then perhaps," she adds, softer now, encouraging his flirtation with her lips ghosting closer to his ear with a playful smile, "you shouldn’t keep me waiting."

Amit stilled slightly at the question—because he had too many answers. For a moment, his gaze lingered—not on the bustling street, nor the passing figures—but on Theo, as though the rest of the world had once again begun to blur at the edges. "What I ought to say," he began thoughtfully, "is that we should likely return to the others before we are missed."

His fingers shifted where they rested against Theo’s arm—not withdrawing, not quite.

"Oh, really?" Seb laughed, before leaning in to give Bea a kiss. "In front of the boutique lady? On a dress we haven't bought?"

He leaned back, keeping his hands on Beatrice's waist while still looking towards the scandalized owner of the boutique. That playful smile still on his lips.

"Let's pay it and get out of here." He added, although there was still a hit of desire on the glint of his eyes.

At that moment, Theo and Amit entered the shop, Theo's arm still around Amit's. Theo started looking around, as if he was looking for a distraction from the tender contact.

Seb walked closer, his eyes eating Bea like a starved man would a feast. He spirked, placing her hands on her waist, his thumbs tracing little circles over the silky fabric.

It was a perfect combination, her natural beauty, the firey red of her hair and the lilac dress creating a sight for sore eyes.

"It doesn't even matter how much it costs." He says, keeping his reverent touch. "Let's get it."

The realization slowly hit Tal. He tilted his head to one side before giving tentative glances at his sides and finally noticing the staring passers.

Of course, the wizarding world had it's own biases and prejudice, but lucky for them, relationships between the same gender isn't one of them.

The same can't be said for the muggle world, however.

"Oh..." He slowly removed his hand from Amit's instead holding onto his arm. A more usual touch between young friends. "I... forgot it's illegal..."

Oh... she loves the way Seb looks at her, watching the desire in those expressive brown eyes and she's never felt more beautiful than she does in this moment. She never wants him to stop looking at her like that, his smirk doing things to her and making her heart skip a couple of beats. Her lips curve sweetly, just a little, though the warmth in her cheeks gives her away and she moves into his touch, enjoying his closeness.

A small smile followed, warmer now, touched with something more playful as her fingers curled slightly against his. "Isn't it beautiful? I think it may already be my favorite." She melts when he says that—part of her not wanting to know how much it costs, given the exquisite tailoring and detail—but the dress being a gift from him is everything. "…Though I suspect that has less to do with the dress itself," she adds in a softer tone and presses a sweet kiss to his lips, glowing with happiness. "Thank you, Sebastian."

Amit felt the change immediately. Not the loss of contact— but the intention behind it.

His gaze flickered briefly to where Theo’s hand had been, then to the way it now rested more carefully at his arm, the adjustment not lost on him. "…Yes," he said quietly, the word more thoughtful than startled. A small pause followed, his expression softening rather than closing off.

"I suppose we did forget ourselves for a moment." There was no real reproach in it, only a quiet acknowledgment. His fingers shifted slightly, just enough to rest more naturally against Theo’s sleeve, not drawing attention, but not retreating either.

"Let's go." Seb started as he leaned in. His nose caressed the side of Bea's neck, taking in that soft and delicious scent that's so uniquely hers. "Before I see myself forced to eat you up in the middle of the boutique." He added, Bea could hear his smirk on his voice.

Theo hums in agreement, enjoying each ine of the subtle little touches they shared.

"What do you want to do?" He asks softly, doing his best attempt to ignore how bad the way Amit looked at him made him want to kiss him.

Sebastian stood a few steps behind her, his arms crossed over as he watched her interact with the shopkeeper. His gaze was intense, tracking the way she moved, the way her hair caught the light filtering through the boutique's windows.

As Beatrice disappeared behind the velvet curtain, Sebastian didn't move, listening to the rustle of fabric and the soft sounds of her undressing. A slow, thoughtful smirk touched his lips. He imagined her peeling away her layers, the lilac fabric sliding over her skin a thought that made his pulse quicken.

When the curtain finally slid back, Sebastian's breath caught.

Beatrice stood there in the lilac dress, the fabric clung to her curves in all the right places, cinched at the waist and flowing delicately downward. She looked ethereal, almost otherworldly, and for a moment, Sebastian forgot how to breathe.

He stepped forward, he didn't say anything at first, his gaze traveling slowly and deliberately from her shoulders down to her heels and back up again. "You have no idea," he murmured, his voice low, "How incredible you look in that."

Theo felt a prickle of heat rise up the column of his neck, spreading behind his ears. That certainty in Amit’s voice the lack of flightiness was more disarming than any spell he’d ever faced, Theo felt a strange sense of vertigo, as if the ground had tilted beneath his boots.

His grip on Amit’s hand tightened. He wasn't looking at the bustling shops or the towering buildings anymore. Everything beyond the curve of Amit's jaw became a blurred, unimportant smear of color.

"You're pretty observant." Theo whispered, his throat feeling dry. There was a gravity in his stance now, his taller frame subtly shielding Amit from a particularly boisterous crowd of passersby.

He took a breath, trying to settle the fluttering in his stomach. He leaned in just a fraction more, letting the intimacy linger. "Then we shall have to be careful," he added, a hint of a daring glint appearing in his green eyes, "lest everyone notices exactly where your attention is wandering."

Beatrice unfastened the bodice of her day dress, slipping out of the material with a secret smile to herself. She couldn't help imagining Sebastian's hands slowly undoing the the ribbon tying back her skirt and helping her out of her dress, what that would feel like... the very idea to make her blush even if she was alone behind the curtain. She slipped into the pieces of the lilac dress, pleased with her reflection to find it a perfect fit, almost as if the dress itself was made for her. But after seeing herself in it and how dreamy the color was, she couldn't wait to see Sebastian's reaction.

She pulled the curtain aside and stepped out in lilac, glowing with pure joy, feeling even more beautiful when he looked at her like she was the only thing in the room and she even gave a little twirl to show off for him, the way the fine material moved with her and flattered her shape.

Her gaze lingered on him, taking in the way he looked at her and the quiet intensity of it, his attention to every curve and detail... and she loved it. She could feel it, warmth blooming across her cheeks especially when he moved closer. "…I think I like it more," she said softly, gazing into his brown eyes, "when you look at me like that."

Amit’s breath caught at the shift in Theo’s tone, the quiet weight of it settling somewhere far deeper than he was prepared to examine. For a moment, he said nothing. Of course he noticed everything, including the way Theo's gaze seemed to linger — and how it made him feel. The undeniable pull of curiosity, that something was happening and the tension was enough to make him temporarily forget about the somewhat inconvenient location.

His fingers remained where they were—intertwined, steady—though there was the faintest tightening, as if anchoring himself in the contact rather than retreating from it. He was very aware of Theo's touch, that he didn't want to pull his hand away despite society. A bold move, yes, but ... some things were worth the risk.

"…Then we ought to be mindful," he replied softly, his voice gentler now, measured in a way that suggested care rather than distance. A brief pause followed, his gaze lowering for just a moment before lifting again—more deliberate this time.

Seb walked closer, his eyes eating Bea like a starved man would a feast. He spirked, placing her hands on her waist, his thumbs tracing little circles over the silky fabric.

It was a perfect combination, her natural beauty, the firey red of her hair and the lilac dress creating a sight for sore eyes.

"It doesn't even matter how much it costs." He says, keeping his reverent touch. "Let's get it."

The realization slowly hit Tal. He tilted his head to one side before giving tentative glances at his sides and finally noticing the staring passers.

Of course, the wizarding world had it's own biases and prejudice, but lucky for them, relationships between the same gender isn't one of them.

The same can't be said for the muggle world, however.

"Oh..." He slowly removed his hand from Amit's instead holding onto his arm. A more usual touch between young friends. "I... forgot it's illegal..."

Her lips pressing against his skin sent a jolt of heat straight to his core. He caught her knowing glance toward Talbott and Amit, but his focus snapped back to the girl beside him.

He saw the way her eyes lit up, reflecting the shimmering fabric. He knew her well enough to recognize that desire wasn't born of vanity, but of pure, infectious joy.

"Anything you want, Bea," he murmured as he stepped closer, effectively shielding her from a passing group of bustling Muggles. "If that dress makes you look half as radiant as you do right now, consider it done."

He gave her hand a playful tug, guiding her toward the boutique entrance. "Lead the way, then. Before Amit and Talbott decide to run off into a different alleyway entirely."

The sensation of Amit’s fingers sent a jolt through Theo. His own palm felt suddenly damp, his heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his sternum. This was dangerous territory; they were out in the open, surrounded by Muggles yet the world seemed to narrow down to the mere inches of skin connecting them.

Theo leaned into the touch, his thumb tracing a slow, rhythmic arc over the back of Amit's hand. The texture of Amit's skin was a grounding contrast to the grit and grime of the London streets.

"Distracted?" Theo repeated, the word tasting sweet and heavy on his tongue. He let his gaze drop to Amit's mouth for a fraction of a second before meeting those eyes again. The shyness that usually acted as his shield was melting, replaced by a simmering, quiet intensity.

He lowered his voice further, leaning in until the scent of old parchment and metal clinging to Amit filled his senses. "Is it the city, then?" he challenged softly, his tone playful yet laced with a vulnerability he rarely allowed himself. "Or is it something else altogether?"

Beatrice almost didn't notice the cluster of Muggles coming their way, her attention on Sebastian with some abstract, poetic thought about the freckles on his cheeks where she had just kissed him. About how she'd like to kiss him again. Something about the way he said her name, the sound of his voice had her absolutely melting.

She sensed the rise of a hinted blush at his compliment, a warm sensation blooming from within. She noticed his subtle act of protectiveness, yet she stayed close to him even when the Muggle congregation had passed through. Smiling, she felt as radiant in that moment as he said. "Anything?" she repeated playfully, eyes sparkling.

She followed his lead with a soft, almost conspiratorial laugh as they walked up to the boutique, casting one last glance at their friends as if to say 'have fun' and leaving them to sort out whatever little moment they seemed to be having. Once inside, she took a curious glance around at the variety of textures, materials, colors and trinkets before she walked up to the shopkeeper's desk to inquire about the dress and ask to try it on.

Amit’s breath caught just slightly as Theo’s words settled between them, quieter than the city, but infinitely louder all the same. For a moment, he didn’t answer. Not because he didn’t know, but because he did.

His fingers shifted faintly against Theo’s, unconsciously mirroring the slow movement of his thumb, as if grounding himself in the contact before he spoke. "I thought it was the city," he admitted softly, voice thoughtful, though there was something warmer threading through it now.

Sebastian stood a few steps behind her, his arms crossed over as he watched her interact with the shopkeeper. His gaze was intense, tracking the way she moved, the way her hair caught the light filtering through the boutique's windows.

As Beatrice disappeared behind the velvet curtain, Sebastian didn't move, listening to the rustle of fabric and the soft sounds of her undressing. A slow, thoughtful smirk touched his lips. He imagined her peeling away her layers, the lilac fabric sliding over her skin a thought that made his pulse quicken.

When the curtain finally slid back, Sebastian's breath caught.

Beatrice stood there in the lilac dress, the fabric clung to her curves in all the right places, cinched at the waist and flowing delicately downward. She looked ethereal, almost otherworldly, and for a moment, Sebastian forgot how to breathe.

He stepped forward, he didn't say anything at first, his gaze traveling slowly and deliberately from her shoulders down to her heels and back up again. "You have no idea," he murmured, his voice low, "How incredible you look in that."

Theo felt a prickle of heat rise up the column of his neck, spreading behind his ears. That certainty in Amit’s voice the lack of flightiness was more disarming than any spell he’d ever faced, Theo felt a strange sense of vertigo, as if the ground had tilted beneath his boots.

His grip on Amit’s hand tightened. He wasn't looking at the bustling shops or the towering buildings anymore. Everything beyond the curve of Amit's jaw became a blurred, unimportant smear of color.

"You're pretty observant." Theo whispered, his throat feeling dry. There was a gravity in his stance now, his taller frame subtly shielding Amit from a particularly boisterous crowd of passersby.

He took a breath, trying to settle the fluttering in his stomach. He leaned in just a fraction more, letting the intimacy linger. "Then we shall have to be careful," he added, a hint of a daring glint appearing in his green eyes, "lest everyone notices exactly where your attention is wandering."

"Whoa- Theo-" Seb stumbles forward at the impact, soon enough re-gaining his balance and helping Theo gain his. "Between us four I think I'm not the one you should be falling for." He adds, with that smile he does whenever he thinks he's being clever.

Theo just rolls his eyes, instantly directing his attention back at Amit. "I'm alright, I just got... a bit lost in thought." He straightens his sweater and places his hand over Amit's. That'swhat he was trying to do, isn't it? Hold his hand? Either way, Theo laces his fingers with Amit's, then looks towards Beatrice. "What were you saying about a dress?"

Beatrice can't hide her amusement and she responds with a little laugh at Seb's line, easily amused by his charming quips and perfectly timed jokes. It's one of many things she adores about him. She presses an affectionate kiss to his cheek, enjoying every moment of their date so far.

She looks between Amit, noticing what's going on with their friends and catching their fingers intertwined—understanding immediately why he said that, saying nothing and not making a big deal but acknowledging it with a little smile.

She gestures to the beautifully tailored dress in the window, the dreamiest shade of lilac—her favorite color. "See that little boutique? Seb and I are going to see about that dress. I like it," she explains to Theo, then looking back to Sebastian with a soft smile.

Her happiness isn't about materialistic things or shopping, she does have an eye for style and exquisitely made clothing, but she's just thrilled that he's here with her... and that he's hers. And she will absolutely let him buy her something pretty if he wants to. "Shall we, love?"

Amit stilled for a moment at the sudden contact, the movement catching him off guard in a way he hadn’t quite prepared for. Theo’s hand, warm, steady, unmistakably there.

For a second, he didn’t move at all, as though the moment might slip away if he acknowledged it too quickly. Then, slowly, his fingers shifted to adjust against Theo’s, not pulling away but settling more comfortably into the space between them.

"Oh," he said softly, the word quieter than intended, almost lost beneath the noise of the street. A faint warmth crept across his cheeks, though this time, he didn’t try to hide it.

Her lips pressing against his skin sent a jolt of heat straight to his core. He caught her knowing glance toward Talbott and Amit, but his focus snapped back to the girl beside him.

He saw the way her eyes lit up, reflecting the shimmering fabric. He knew her well enough to recognize that desire wasn't born of vanity, but of pure, infectious joy.

"Anything you want, Bea," he murmured as he stepped closer, effectively shielding her from a passing group of bustling Muggles. "If that dress makes you look half as radiant as you do right now, consider it done."

He gave her hand a playful tug, guiding her toward the boutique entrance. "Lead the way, then. Before Amit and Talbott decide to run off into a different alleyway entirely."

The sensation of Amit’s fingers sent a jolt through Theo. His own palm felt suddenly damp, his heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his sternum. This was dangerous territory; they were out in the open, surrounded by Muggles yet the world seemed to narrow down to the mere inches of skin connecting them.

Theo leaned into the touch, his thumb tracing a slow, rhythmic arc over the back of Amit's hand. The texture of Amit's skin was a grounding contrast to the grit and grime of the London streets.

"Distracted?" Theo repeated, the word tasting sweet and heavy on his tongue. He let his gaze drop to Amit's mouth for a fraction of a second before meeting those eyes again. The shyness that usually acted as his shield was melting, replaced by a simmering, quiet intensity.

He lowered his voice further, leaning in until the scent of old parchment and metal clinging to Amit filled his senses. "Is it the city, then?" he challenged softly, his tone playful yet laced with a vulnerability he rarely allowed himself. "Or is it something else altogether?"

It was then when a realization hit Seb. He stopped in his tracks, looking at the store with a slight tilt of his head.

Uncle Solomon was gone, now there was no one to tell him what he could spend money on, which meant he could spoil his girlfriend as much as he wanted.

He turns towards Beatrice, a playful smirk curving his lips. "I could get it for you."

Theo looked towards Amit, his eyes wide with a particular glint in them. Did he...

He didn't noticed Seb had stopped, stumbling into him.

Beatrice already notices the smirk on her boyfriend's lips and that particular look in his eyes, knowing that usually means he's getting ideas and she's curious. She pauses and her eyes widen a little with surprise, melting inside at the kindness of Sebastian's offer. "Oh... really?" Her face lights up as she glances back at the dress on display in the window and back to him, and there's something softer and sweeter in her smile this time. "That's so thoughtful of you, I would love that..."

Before she can finish her sentence, she notices Theo bump into Sebastian and looks toward him and Amit, who looks mostly calm to her but there's a moment where she wonders what exactly just happened. Still, she's excited.

"Shall we look inside so I can try it on and see how it fits first?" That way she'll be able to try it on for him, wanting to see how he'll like it on her.

Amit had only just steadied himself after Theo’s abrupt collision with Sebastian, the moment catching him off guard in a way he hadn’t quite recovered from. "Oh, careful—" he started, the word slipping out softer than intended as he instinctively stepped closer.

His hand hovered for only a second before settling lightly against Theo’s arm, as though to steady him—though the touch lingered just a fraction longer than necessary.

"…You’ll have us all stopping in the middle of the street at this rate," he added, a faint trace of warmth threading through his tone.

"Whoa- Theo-" Seb stumbles forward at the impact, soon enough re-gaining his balance and helping Theo gain his. "Between us four I think I'm not the one you should be falling for." He adds, with that smile he does whenever he thinks he's being clever.

Theo just rolls his eyes, instantly directing his attention back at Amit. "I'm alright, I just got... a bit lost in thought." He straightens his sweater and places his hand over Amit's. That'swhat he was trying to do, isn't it? Hold his hand? Either way, Theo laces his fingers with Amit's, then looks towards Beatrice. "What were you saying about a dress?"

Sebastian’s grip on her hand tightened slightly not enough to hurt, but firm enough to anchor her to his. For all his brooding intensity, the sheer scale of London acted like a balm on his frayed nerves.

He glanced down at Beatrice, his expression softening despite himself. When she spoke, he felt a tug in his chest that always made him feel uncharacteristically vulnerable. He followed her gaze toward the mannequin, squinting at the intricate lace and fine silk displayed behind the glass.

"It is," he admitted, his voice dropping an octave. He squeezed her fingers once more, lacing them through hers. "Though if we spend the whole afternoon staring at sewing kits, we might actually turn into old witches before sunset."

A smirk played on his lips as he leaned closer, his shoulder brushing hers. "But yes... it's beautiful. Just like the rest of this madness."

When Amit drifted closer, the warmth radiating from the shorter boy was more grounding than any solid ground. Theo’s pulse gave a singular, heavy thud against his ribs. He didn't turn his head fully that might be too obvious but he tilted his frame inward, allowing their sleeves to brush with every stride.

Theo felt a slow heat creep up the back of his neck, settling behind his ears. He glanced sideways again, catching the light in Amit's eyes amidst the grey of the city.

"Different is one word for it," Theo murmured, his voice low enough to stay private despite the crowd. He cleared his throat, his fingers twitching rhythmically against the fabric of his sweater. "Everything feels… louder here. Faster." He paused, his green eyes drifting back to the path ahead before settling momentarily on Amit's profile. "It was a bit hard to get used to it. My family used to live on a farm before moving here."

Beatrice could sense that something about Sebastian seemed... lighter. Perhaps an outing was just what they needed, something to take their minds off the magical chaos that usually happens. This would be good for them.

She couldn't help giggling at his comment, warmth and adoration in the way she looked at him. Oh, she loves his sense of humor. Her fingers shifted against his and fitting more comfortably between his as she glanced back toward the shop window, though her attention didn't linger there for long. "Old witches?" she echoed, a soft note of amusement threading through her voice. Her gaze lifted to him again. "I think we’d manage it rather well," she added lightly, her voice playful. "Though I suspect you’d grow impatient long before I did." A small smile curves at her lips, her voice softer.

“…It is beautiful.”

It wasn’t entirely clear whether she meant the display... or something else entirely. Her thumb brushed lightly against his hand, absentminded, familiar. "I don’t mind a little madness," she murmured, almost to herself, though her eyes remained on his. "Not if it looks like this."

Amit listened, really listened. Not just to the words, but to the quiet honesty behind them, the way they seemed to settle between them just as naturally as the rhythm of their steps.

"A farm?" he echoed softly, something warm flickering across his expression—curiosity, yes, but something gentler too. "That sounds… peaceful." His gaze lingered for a moment longer than it needed to, thoughtful rather than searching.

"I think I understand what you mean, though," he added after a beat, voice quieter now, though no less steady. "It does feel louder here. As if everything is happening all at once, whether you’re ready for it or not." A small pause.

Then, almost without thinking, his sleeve brushed more deliberately against Theo’s this time. Not accidental now, but not quite bold enough to be called intentional either.

It was then when a realization hit Seb. He stopped in his tracks, looking at the store with a slight tilt of his head.

Uncle Solomon was gone, now there was no one to tell him what he could spend money on, which meant he could spoil his girlfriend as much as he wanted.

He turns towards Beatrice, a playful smirk curving his lips. "I could get it for you."

Theo looked towards Amit, his eyes wide with a particular glint in them. Did he...

He didn't noticed Seb had stopped, stumbling into him.

@the2ndbestsallow )

It wasn't usual the four of them would leave the castle, not together, at least. Sebastian, Beatrice and Talbott tended to go on adventures, defeating poachers and ashwinders or do errands for others, whereas Amit's sole mission was finding as many astronomy tables as he could.

And so, an outing of this sort was odd. Especially with them going so far .

It didn't take much, really. Talbott was pretty familiar with London at this point so it was just a matter of researching the floo powder connections to safely and quickly get the four of them there.

Seb and Bea were ahead, holding hands as Seb looked with Awe at the busy city. He definitely was not used so something like that, going from a small town to another.

Behind them, Tal and Amit kept a nervous distance from each other. Talbott wanted to do this right and that implied something the both of them enjoyed. Perhaps London was not the best idea?

Beatrice was looking forward to this, eyes glimmering with excitement. London was so much bigger than Hogsmeade, and it wasn't every day any of them got to see it. Mostly, though, she was happy to be with Sebastian. Her fingers curled a little more securely around his as they walked, grounding herself in something familiar even as her gaze wandered, drawn from one shop window to the next, lingering on displays of fabric, delicate trims, flashes of color she couldn’t quite ignore. "This was a wonderful idea. It's nice to have a change of scenery," she turns to him, smiling. As much as she loved getting into shenanigans around the school and the Forbidden Forest, it was nice to do something normal for once. "Look at the stitching on that..." She had an eye for style, noticing that London seemed more fashion-forward as she noticed the dresses on mannequins in boutique windows. "Isn't this just fascinating?" she asked Seb, clearly delighted. There's something softer in her gaze when she looks at him, a little dreamy.

Sebastian’s grip on her hand tightened slightly not enough to hurt, but firm enough to anchor her to his. For all his brooding intensity, the sheer scale of London acted like a balm on his frayed nerves.

He glanced down at Beatrice, his expression softening despite himself. When she spoke, he felt a tug in his chest that always made him feel uncharacteristically vulnerable. He followed her gaze toward the mannequin, squinting at the intricate lace and fine silk displayed behind the glass.

"It is," he admitted, his voice dropping an octave. He squeezed her fingers once more, lacing them through hers. "Though if we spend the whole afternoon staring at sewing kits, we might actually turn into old witches before sunset."

A smirk played on his lips as he leaned closer, his shoulder brushing hers. "But yes... it's beautiful. Just like the rest of this madness."

When Amit drifted closer, the warmth radiating from the shorter boy was more grounding than any solid ground. Theo’s pulse gave a singular, heavy thud against his ribs. He didn't turn his head fully that might be too obvious but he tilted his frame inward, allowing their sleeves to brush with every stride.

Theo felt a slow heat creep up the back of his neck, settling behind his ears. He glanced sideways again, catching the light in Amit's eyes amidst the grey of the city.

"Different is one word for it," Theo murmured, his voice low enough to stay private despite the crowd. He cleared his throat, his fingers twitching rhythmically against the fabric of his sweater. "Everything feels… louder here. Faster." He paused, his green eyes drifting back to the path ahead before settling momentarily on Amit's profile. "It was a bit hard to get used to it. My family used to live on a farm before moving here."

There was something going on at the Slytherin table during dinner, or one of the edges of it, better said.

Closest to the door were Ominis, Talbott, Sebastian and Beatrice, having a quite active chat, full of playfulness and their usual daring.

Moments later, Seb got a quill and a bit of parchment, wrote something on it, against Tal's wishes and folded it into a bird, which with some small wandwork and a blow from his lips, took flight, eventually landing into Amit's plate.

'I hope you know how excited Talbott is about you joining us.'

It said.

Amit hadn’t expected the parchment to land so neatly on his plate, nor for it to move in the first place. He had to give Sebastian credit for such a creative method of delivery, impressed by whatever charm was used to do this.

He blinked at it for a moment, momentarily caught between curiosity and mild alarm, setting aside his fork before unfolding it with careful precision. His eyes scanned the message once, then again, as if to ensure he’s read it correctly.

…Oh.

"Charming," Amit murmured under his breath, though there was no real disapproval in it but only flustered amusement. If anything, the note had done its job a little too well.

…Excited?

Something caught between surprise and reluctant hope flickers across his expression. That’s… a rather bold assumption. And yet—

A quiet breath leaves him, almost thoughtful. His gaze crosses the hall, landing briefly but deliberately on Tal just long enough to say I read it... with the ghost of a smile hinting at his lips. So it’s true, then.

Something in his expression softens, brief and fleeting before he looks away again, folding the parchment with care. He will absolutely not be able to stop thinking about this.

Sebastian watched the exchange from the corner of his eye, a sharp, lopsided smirk tugging at his lips as Amit’s reaction played out. He leaned back, watching Amit fold the parchment with a reverence that made Sebastian want to chuckle or perhaps provoke him further.

Beside him, Talbott was still muttering something about 'unnecessary theatrics,' but Sebastian barely heard him. His focus was on the subtle shift in the air, the way the tension around the table had pivoted from mere chatter to something more charged.

It wasn't that he cared deeply for Talbott’s romantic entanglements, but he enjoyed the power of orchestrating the chaos. He caught Amit’s fleeting gaze and offered a slow, knowing blink, his dark eyes gleaming with a silent, mischievous challenge. 'Don't just sit there looking flustered' his expression seemed to dare. 'Do something about it.'