"Gellert."
My name, spoken in a voice soft as a summer breeze, pierced through my sleep. I knew who it was, even without opening my eyes.
"Gellert, wake up."
The warmth of the blanket and the comfort of my bed, however, held me captive, and I groaned, turning away and burying my face in the pillow.
"Come on now, Gellert. It's already late, wake up."
"Ten more minutes," I mumbled, my voice muffled by the pillow.
"Ten more minutes? It's ten in the morning, now wake up, you said we'd go to the sunflower field today." Albus's voice, laced with amusement, cut through my slumber. His hand, warm and insistent, shook me gently, urging me from the depths of my sleep.
"Did I? Surely, I didn't." Even with my face buried in the pillow, I could practically feel Albus's eyebrow arch in disbelief. I braced myself for his inevitable nagging, yet, it didn't come. Instead, a tremor ran through the air, and I was caught off guard by the soft, almost-crying tone that filled the room.
"But you promised. Are you breaking your promise, Gellert?" Albus sniffled, his voice barely a whisper.
I immediately shot up, my head snapping from the pillow. Albus's blue eyes, shining with unshed tears, his pink lips forming a pout that was almost too much to bear. It was a sight enough to drag me out of dreamland. I swiftly gathered him in my arms, his small frame fitting perfectly against my chest. "No, forgive me, liebling. I am now awake. Cease your tears, mein schatz."
If I were to choose between my sleep and the treasure in my arms, the answer is quite obvious.
"Forgive me, my love. I was merely jesting. I did not mean for you to weep. I indeed promised that we'd go to the sunflower field today."
A muffled laugh escaped Albus's lips.
"You..." I gasped, realization dawning on me. He looked up at me, his face now beaming with a mischievous smile. "Works every time," he chuckled, wiping away a fake tear. I continued to stare at him in disbelief, his laughter bubbling up like a spring, seemingly endless.
I groaned and nuzzled into Albus's neck, "Here I thought you were a Gryffindor, yet here you are being a clever little Slytherin."
"I am a Gryffindor," Albus retorted, his voice laced with amusement, "I believe waking you up in the morning requires much courage. And besides, one must be clever sometimes to get what they want."
I just rolled my eyes, "Now hurry and get ready, Gellert. Mrs. Bagshot prepared your breakfast a while ago, so you should eat after getting dressed. I'll be waiting downstairs," Albus said, turning towards the door. I pulled him back, tightening my arms around him. "No, let's stay like this for a second."
"For a second," Albus says, his voice dropping to a playful whisper, "the next thing after that we'll be staying here in your bed all day long." I smirked, looking at him full of mischief. "Is that so bad, liebling? I get to have you in my arms all day long. I, for one, am not complaining."
"As much as I love being in your embrace all day long," he countered, a smile tugging at my lips, "I actually would like to have a nice day outside with you. And by that, I mean us walking together in the sunflower field."
"But it's so cozy here," I argued, pulling him closer to my chest. "Why would you ever want to leave this warmth and comfort?"
Albus chuckled and gently pushed me away. "Because the sunshine is calling our names, and the sunflowers are waiting for us. They need our company, Gellert. Don't you want to see them all? And besides, you promised.”
I sighed, reluctantly releasing him from my arms. "Fine," I said, a playful smirk dancing on my lips. "But don't expect me to be as enthusiastic about this as you."
Albus smiled victoriously, “Alright, but first you ought to get dressed and eat breakfast.”
And I did just that, and soon after we were off towards the sunflower field. The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over everything, making it seem like gold. We walked through the field, the air thick with the scent of wildflowers and the gentle hum of bees.
“This day is just so perfect don’t you think so Gellert?” Albus looked at me and asked, “I suppose you are right, but I still prefer my bed.” I joked
Albus just shook his head in amusement, “You're impossible, Gellert Grindelwald," Albus laughed. "Come on, let's explore the field.”
He grabbed my hand and pulled me forward, his steps light and carefree as we made our way through the rows of sunflowers, their golden faces turning towards the sun, laughing and giggling like schoolboys. The sun felt warm, yet nothing feels warmer than being with Albus.
We stopped, standing amidst the sunflowers, I took out my wand and with a gentle flick of my wrist, a bouquet of sunflowers appeared, their petals seemingly bathed in the golden glow of the sunlight. "For you, mein schatz," I whispered, my heart overflowing with affection. I gently placed the bouquet in Albus's hands, his fingers brushing against mine.
“They are beautiful, thank you, Gellert," Albus said, his voice tinged with awe. He hugged the sunflowers close, their golden petals brushing against his cheeks, he was smiling so brightly. The wind played with his auburn hair, whipping strands across his forehead, his blue eyes sparkling with joy, face full of delight.
I couldn't help but smile, reaching out to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind his ear. "Anything for you, liebling," I whispered, my heart overflowing with warmth.
As we continued walking, the air around us shimmered with a soft golden light, and the sunflowers seemed to sway in a gentle rhythm, Albus turned to me, his blue eyes shining with warmth. "This is my favorite spot," he said, reaching out his hand, motioning for me to join him. We lay down on the soft grass, the sun warming our backs as we gazed up at the endless blue sky.
“I suppose you are right,” I mumbled, “this is a pleasant day to be out of bed.” Albus shifted closer to me, “What was that Gellert, I didn’t quite hear you properly. Care to repeat it for me.” Albus teased, “Oh sod off.” I say while he laughed and soon after I followed, our laughter echoed through the field.
As our laughter died down, it was replaced with a comfortable silence. Contentment washed over us, I turned to look at Albus. He had his eyes closed as the sun bathed him with its light, “Albus,” he opened his eyes and looked at me. I couldn't help but smile. I reached out and gently touched his cheek, “You know, I don’t mind staying in bed all day or taking a stroll out in the sunflower field as long as you are here with me, Albus.”
Albus smiled, his blue eyes shining with warmth. He took my hands and intertwined it with his and as he leaned closer, he looked at me with a soft gaze and said, “Ich liebe dich, Gellert Grindelwald.”
My heart pounded in my chest. My lips parted, and I whispered, "Ich liebe dich, Albus Dumbledore" He leaned in, and our lips met in a soft, tender kiss. The world faded away, leaving only the warmth of his touch and the sweet scent of sunflowers in the air.