On the Down Low (Andy/Gavin)

[Andy Moreau]

Andy had been laying as low as possible since the thing with Gavin and the Knight Bus. He still felt stupid, like he wasn't making progress and he never would, but he kept plugging away. At least when he blew something up at Hogwarts he didn't have to come up with a lie for how it happened.

He wasn't really in the library for a book. The common room was full of people who wanted to be friends with everyone, and the Great Hall was full of people who were already friends. He just wanted some quiet, and libraries were quiet. Rather than attempt homework he didn't understand, he stared blankly out the nearby window. It was fall, Halloween was coming, and he felt as lost as ever.

[Gavin Kent]

Gavin was in the library for a book, but it had been difficult to concentrate over the past days since his visit with the counselor. The dorm room was awkward with Hyacinth being so nice and the cute kitten and Castiel, who he'd decided before even leaving Kane's office not to pursue in any way except perhaps a casual friend. Despite the fact that he did actually have a goal, he ended up wandering the stacks, and when he reached the end of a row to see a familiar blond head by a window he stopped his aimless strolling.

He swallowed hard, then seriously considered running in the opposite direction, but finally decided that he needed to speak with Andy, despite any further awkwardness it might cause. He smoothed down the front of his shirt, ran his fingers through his hair, and stepped forward. "Hello," he said, "I've been kind of wanting to see you again."

[Andy Moreau]

Andy didn't recognize the voice at first, and turned reflexively. Mild curiosity gave way to a thudding heart, and he wasn't able to make words. Matthew had said that he hadn't done anything wrong and he wasn't a sl~ and that Gavin probably thought he'd done something wrong, so he shouldn't be terrified, should he? He made no move to uncurl from his semi-comfortable position on the chair, but he had the presence of mind to reach out for his book bag. This he pulled off the chair beside his and onto the floor, making room for Gavin.

[Gavin Kent]

Gavin only hesitated a moment before he stepped forward and sat. "I was worried that since you ran off you wouldn't want to see me again," he said. Andy hadn't spoken, but he'd offered a place to sit, so that was a good sign, right? "I didn't mean to do anything to make you think you had to leave." Although Kane had said he hadn't done anything wrong, Gavin wouldn't rest completely easily until he heard it from Andy.

[Andy Moreau]

Andy didn't want to talk, but it had nothing to do with hurt or anger. Most of what was left was embarrassment. He looked down at his hands, then glanced back to be sure no one was around before forcing himself to say something.

"You don't like... think I'm sl~y, do you? Because like... I tried to... you know..." To be honest, even Andy didn't know. He'd pushed up against Gavin or something and Gavin had been all, I can't, and the rest of what Andy remembered was dying of humiliation and rapidly-shriveling blue balls.

[Gavin Kent]

"No, of course not," Gavin said, shaking his head. He leaned forward and clasped his hands together in front of him. "To be honest, if either of us is, it would be me. I kind of got back to my dorm and got a little carried away when talking with one of my dorm mates. I was just...I don't know, confused after we parted and..." he trailed off and shook his head at himself.

[Andy Moreau]

Andy decided he didn't want to know what Gavin was talking about, so he didn't ask. He did wonder what all this meant, though. "So, like... if you came over to say you're sorry, you don't have to. I kind of acted like a dork or something, so like... I'm sorry?"

[Gavin Kent]

"You don't have to say you're sorry, either," Gavin said. He eyed the window for a moment before looking over at Andy. "I think it would be nice if you agreed to a date, though. I'd rather like to get to know you better." It couldn't be normal to ask for a first date after two kisses, but he was in a magical school, so maybe normal just didn't matter anymore.

[Andy Moreau]

Andy's eyes brightened, and he let himself look up from his hands now. "Really?" he asked. "I... I mean, yeah, if you want to. Like, because I... I mean, it'd be okay." He didn't know if sounding too eager was bad, or if not sounding interested enough was worse, but either way he couldn't help blushing. He didn't know how he hadn't permanently messed up, or how a guy like Gavin could like him in the first place.

[Gavin Kent]

Gavin's mouth curved in a smile that was both born of relief and in response to that blush. "We could try out one of the restaurants in Hogsmeade, I've heard there are a couple. I've never been to a magical restaurant, so it could be an experience for both of us." It didn't matter if Andy sounded over-eager and not interested enough in turns; as far as Gavin was concerned the yeah was more than enough.

[Andy Moreau]

Andy couldn't help a shy smile. He didn't know how he could be shy when he'd totally kissed Gavin before, except that the thought made him blush all over again. Had they really done that?

"Um, whenever you want is good." It wasn't that he didn't have a life, but he totally didn't.

[Gavin Kent]

"What do you think about meeting at the Three Broomsticks Saturday evening for dinner?" Gavin asked. He had no idea what a dinner date actually involved, but many students had talked about the restaurant. Or was it a bar? Well, whatever it was, from the whispers and conversations he had overheard it was better than the Hog's Head.

[Andy Moreau]

"Yeah, that'd be great!" Andy forgot to pretend to act cool about things just then. He was going on a real, actual date, and they might kiss again, and he needed to decide what to wear! He didn't know what to wear, didn't know if he was supposed to pay for himself because they were both guys or let Gavin pay because he'd asked. And how many dates were you supposed to go on before you had sex?

"Um, so I'll see you then?" he asked, smiling and blushing as he brought his feet to the floor.

[Gavin Kent]

Gavin smiled again, and this time the expression was wider and more excited. "Yeah!" he said, nodding. "I'm already looking forward to it." He stood, but was immediately stalled by the fact he had absolutely no idea how to end an interaction that involved setting up a date. Was he supposed to just wave and leave?

[Andy Moreau]

Andy wasn't any more experienced than Gavin, but surely there was supposed to be a kiss or a hug, right? Or a handshake? He hovered a moment, unsure, then slung his bag over his shoulder to stall for time. Finally he stuck his hand out, his blush firing up crimson with insecurity. Had he made the right choice?