Chapter 3
Gellert was awake at dawn when he opened his eyes, rubbing them, waking himself up. He saw the sun peaking over the low mountains outside his window. The sunrise was streaked with beautiful pinks and blues with the sun coming through in rays behind clouds, dancing across the snow covered land.
His eyes drifted down to where Albus was, who was curled up into his chest. They must’ve moved overnight, as Gellert was now laying on his side, facing the window directly with Albus facing him. Their arms wrapped around each other.
After a few moments of laying there, the intrusive thoughts and panic set it. What would this new light bring? Would Albus leave as soon as he woke? He knew that he would lose, but how could he give up so easily? He desired not only the intimacy of their bond but also the wonder that is Albus. He is the other half of his soul. He has felt empty for far too long and believes it’s only a matter of time until that feeling returns.
In the midst of this thinking, he felt shifting against his chest. Albus tightened his arms around the other a bit before mumbling, “Now is not the time for brooding. It’s barely light outside.”
“I didn’t mean to wake you with my thoughts, liebling. I didn’t know my brooding was something you could sense.” He responded easily, a bit sarcastic, the once present thoughts all but vanishing, retreating into his mind to later worry about.
Albus chuckled, lifting his head in order to make eye contact with a pair of heterochromic eyes. He felt Albus try to push against his barriers, attempting to see his thoughts. When that failed he sighed, “Talk to me?”
“I don’t want to argue, it’s far too early for that.” he said with a huff, pulling his arms away from Albus and laying his back on the bed, sighing.
“I have classes tomorrow, therefore, I will have to go back to Hogwarts. Perhaps this conversation will be better dealt with over letters?” Albus proposed, deciding it would be more convenient and possibly less emotionally taxing.
Gellert responded with only a nod. They both stayed there, not speaking a word, a bit tense.
The silence stretched on until Albus decided they should get ready for the day, mentioning that he will be leaving tonight opposed to this morning which Gellert was silently grateful for, not wanting to spend another morning dreading his departure.
They got ready relatively quietly, with light conversation here and there. Gellert swore there was nothing more satisfying than simply existing around Albus. Throughout the morning, all he yearned for was to capture the moment and never part from it. However, time is always at a constant and steady pace, not something to tamper with.
Once they were both presentable, the moments in between had vanished into the past, now a fond memory. Gellert left the room, expecting Albus would follow. He did as expected. Gellert led Albus through the extravagant castle until they came upon the library.
Opening the door, he showed Albus the space. Stacked with books, the bookshelves were at least fifteen metres high. It appeared as the type of library that was only able to exist within a work of fiction. There was an impressive stained glass window decorating one of the walls, the art seemingly showing a phoenix. The entire library Gellert had designed off of Albus’ ideas from when they were young. He did his best to get it as close to his dreams as possible, to make each and every detail just nothing short of perfection.
“Gellert, this is incredible.” He breathed, glossing over the many titles and authors of the books.
“That is all thanks to you, Albus. You may spend all day here, if you wish to. I myself have yet to finish reading through all that is here.” He said offhandedly, walking over to a small sitting area, decorated with arm chairs and a dark wood table, ornate windows garnishing the wall behind the chairs, picking up a book he had been reading a few days prior.
He sat down in one of the dark green arm chairs, flipping through the pages of Transfiguration and Science, by, Emeric Switch, one of their more advanced works, until he found the page he had been reading, his eyes trailing Albus as he wandered away in the library before he started reading.
Why in the name of Merlin can you conjure water but not food? He found himself thinking for perhaps the hundredth time. As he was going through the reasons as to why it may be that way, Albus, who seemed to have finally settled on a book, sat down in a matching armchair near him.
“Finally find something that suits your interest?” He teased, glancing over at his counterpart.
“I did in fact, find something.” he replied easily, “However, I did wonder how you were able to acquire so many rare works, many of which I’ve only ever heard of in my lifetime.”
Gellert sighed, settling his elbow on the arm of the chair and resting his chin upon his hand, observing Albus quietly for a moment before responding, “Not sure you’d like to know that.” Albus looked alarmed at that and so Gellert clarified, “Don’t worry, I didn’t kill anyone.”
Albus let out a breath of relief before opening his book, settling properly into the armchair. The both of them resigned to reading quietly for the next couple of hours.
The grandfather clock near them chimed twelve times. Gellert counted the chimes, finally coming back into reality himself and registering his hunger.
“Albus,” He closed the book he was reading, setting it on the table beside him, “I believe it is about time that we have lunch if you are willing to join me in such.”
“What do you suggest we have?” He questioned, closing his piece of literature himself and setting it to the side.
Gellert pondered over the options he had in his head, deciding upon saying, “Would it be appropriate if I took you out for lunch?”
Albus’ eyebrows raised, mouthing falling slightly agape. “I think that would be alright.” He decided after a moment of hesitation.
“Brilliant. Do you need to freshen up before we leave?” Gellert stood up, straightening his outfit.
Albus shook his head, following Gellert’s actions.
Gellert led Albus out of the library and down many flights of stairs, stopping at the front entrance, holding out his arm for the other to take. Albus looked at him confusedly before his mind clicked the pieces together, wrapping his hand around the other's arm.
Gellert grinned before apparating them away from the castle and to Vienna.