Dimension Hoppers

The wind chimes ring pleasantly as Orion slumps on the counter bored now that Hadrian is still upstairs for his lunch break. He's been excited about some experimental runes he was hoping to test out soon and wouldn't have eaten in his excitement, thankfully Will had been able to strong-arm him into agreeing to some lasagna. In order to so, however, the man had to stand behind the boy with his arms cross and a stern expression until the last bite had been taken leaving Orion to man the store on his own.

The werewolf didn't mind covering his lunch for him but without the green eye boy, he couldn't see the joy of watching the store.

Especially since it been oddly slow for a Tuesday, as Dimmion Hoppers always had someone regardless of the work hours. He thinks the hype of the store is slowly starting to fall which is a shame since it is still one of the most incredible businesses to ever grace Digion Alley. The Dragon War cards were still selling like a dream however, sometimes selling out on new monthly arrives before noon.

No one had come in the past forty minutes and he was this close to pulling out his hair.

He almost celebrates when he heard the chimes and he turns quickly to the door. "Welcome to Dimension Hoppers. Please have a look around. If you need anything don't hesitate to- oh it's you."

He gives the blushing Hufflepuff a raised brow, not bothering to finish the saying. He's a bit let down in all honesty, he would prefer work then mindlessly standing around but he knows why the other is here and it's certainly not to shop.

Diggory has been visiting the store more and more lately, trying to spot Will in each of his visits. He's not sure when it happened or what was the catalyst but sometime over the year Diggory has grown into his bisexuality and had been doing everything he could to spend time near the man who awakened that part of him. He would stare, fumble, trip over his feet, and babble whenever Will so much as waved at him, blush traveling up to his ears and down his chest. He didn't really talk to Evans and when he did it was painfully obvious that Will wasn't aware of his fumbling flirtations, either through choice or through actual oblivious.

Orion got the sense that while Will could be a bit dense he was nowhere near Hadrian's level, as the oldest brother had already chased off a few hopeful suitors with a firm but kind responds once he picked up on the flirting that they were trying to pull on him. He caught on eventually with each one, but Hadrian has yet to realize Orion's, Malfoy's, and Potter's attempts as much as they relived and agitated him.

Diggory took a different approach to woo Will, ie. he turned into a nervous sweaty wreck that was going for friendship before dating, trying to act casual but being much too eager to hang off the elder's words and agreeing to everything he said in a breathless tone.

The werewolf would call him pathetic if he knew Hadrian didn't have the same effect on him.

"It's nice to see you too Orion," Diggory says flatly clearly not impressed with his greeting. The werewolf shrugs, not being sorry in the least but knowing the older male really isn't that offended by it. He's changed over the past few months too, having learned to speak to people better, and now he knows what could be taken as offensive what could be a joke and what would be a result of someone's quirkiness. "Just you today?"

"Hadrian and Will are upstairs but they should be back in ten minutes. Can I help you with anything?"

Suddenly Digorry's face hardens, his shoulders straightening with purpose and Orion found himself being pin with an intense stare. It completely out of character that the werewolf finds himself taking some small sniffs just to confirm the scent of the Hufflepuff matches what he knows. "I actually think we may be able to help each other."

Orion raises a brow leaning on the counter. "How so?"

Diggory leans over the counter, lowering his voice to a degree Orion has to strain to hear him. He's a bit frighten the Hufflepuff is going to offer his drugs. He doesn't seem the type but Orion learned to not trust others so easily, even if Diggory acted like the local boy next door with his soft smile and crushing expectations of everyone around him.

"I fancy Will" The teenager starts face blooming a slight pink but his determination to get the words out doesn't slow him down, which Orion can't help but cut in with a drawl of "You don't say?"

"I fancy Will" He continues acting like he didn't hear the other speak. Diggory runs a hand through his hair, body language changing to become more and more agitated. "I've been trying to get his attention but nothing is working. He thinks I'm a kid."

Orion leans on the counter, raising an unimpressed brow. He gives the other male a slow look up and down, pointedly. "You are a kid."

Diggory face scrunches up, displeased by the reminder. He runs a hand through his hair, as he huffs. There is a moment of silence as Orion's words hang in the air. The werewolf waits it out wondering what the other is expecting of him. It's almost as if the Hufflepuff wants him to understand a secret meaning but he's never been very good at understanding context. If it's not said out loud then Orion won't assume.

"Look I'm offering a deal here. You help me get Will's attention" The Hufflepuff leans into his face, voice lowering into a near whisper so much so that the werewolf finds himself leaning towards him as well even though he could hear him just fine. Diggory tilts his chin upwards, eyes a deep brown of what Orion would later know is a glint of a deal with a devil. "And I'll help you get Hadrian's"

The teenager freezes staring up at him. At once he thinks of all the fail attempts of getting Hadrian to notice him as a potential boyfriend. All of his attempts, the too quick and loud laughs, the casual touches where he finds an excuse to touch him no matter how brief, the songs he worked hours and hours on perfect, the looks but nothing seems to have work. Nothing he did could get his best friend to understand just how much Orion cares for him. There is a lot he can gain from this offer, however, should he trust him?

On one hand, Diggory has had previous relationships, the whole school was aware of how popular he was among the female population, more so when a female got his brief attention (Never a bad break up) but on the other hand Diggory had only had two girlfriends before and never a boyfriend. If he relied on his experience there could be a handicap with that, as well as the knowledge Diggory was coming to him for help since whatever he was doing before wasn't working.

At this point did Orion care? He's been doing everything he could to, yet he felt he was not taking any steps in wooing Hadrian. If anything he was only further convincing the other that there was some kind of secret relationship with Malfoy which was downright disgusting.

"Well?" The other says sounding a bit impatient.

Orion frowns weighing all his options and in the end, decides, what else do I have to lose? "I'm in"

Diggory's face twists into a self-satisfied smirk. "Good. Here is the plan."

It was easy to convince his parents, even though it took him pacing before their bedroom door one night for a good thirty minutes working up the nerve to ask. Though based on how fast Dad ripped open the door when he knocked they must have heard him out there and it may have even helped his case. Sirius's face had gone from worried to exhilarated in seconds promising to find a way to get Orion's request to come true after he nervously admitting for his late-night visit.

Orion couldn't sleep the rest of the night, butterflies in his stomach as he tried to imagine Diggory's ridiculous plan working. The Hufflepuff instead that it was important to the Evans be lured into the place they needed in order to grab their attention. This meant it was the werewolf's job to get them away from any competition, the rivals who could ruin their chances, but taking them somewhere most of their rivals would never go.

The muggle world.

Since Diggory is a pureblood with little to no reason to go to said muggle world then it was up to half blood Orion to set the stage. His parents would be the ones to give Will the idea on his behalf. All Orion had to do was make a comment about the winter event Hadrian claimed to have missed since he was at Hogwarts, where no telly was around in order to watch the muggle sporting event.

Orion had heard of the Olympics of course he had but he wasn't that deeply interested in them and his Father much more preferred the summer ones. Hadrian however, claimed he always been in awe of the grace it took for one particular event. That was what Diggory was aiming for.

"Ice-scatting? What's that?" Diggory asks as if though he's never heard of such a thing and pronouncing it purposely wrong. He had come in for a new pack of his Dragon War cards and just so happen to overhear Father casually ask Will if he was willing to let him take the boys to the local ice rink. The eldest seemed a bit hesitant to have the younger one go into the muggle world on his own, most likely due to the trauma of losing his parents so violently out of his sight. Orion was starting to doubt this plan until Hadrian turn to him so quickly he nearly fell from the little stool that he was using to fix some of the high behind the counter displays, eyes wide and eager.

"It's actually pronounced ice-skating Cedric." He says stepping down to race over in not quite a run but darn close. Orion grins at the adorable barely suppress excitement that is radiating from the smaller boy. Hadrian clearly enjoys the sport, just the mention of it has his eyes lighting up much more than Quidditch. He blushes a little when Hadrian leans close to him to stare at the Hufflepuff across the counter who is smiling back. " A muggle sport where you use metal slants attached to your shoes and glide over ice. It's hard to keep balance but some muggles are so good at it they become professionals and it always seems really fun. I've never been but I used to watch the Winter Olympics and see the best of the best represent their countries, whenever I could."

"All the more reason to go then," Father says smiling. He places a box down on the counter while Will mulls it over, the eldest chewing on his bottom lip a little. Orion catches the way Diggory's eyes follow the movement. "It would be one afternoon, we go get something to eat and then pay for three hours on the ice. Won't be later than eight p.m at the lastest."

"I don't know." Will starts but one look at Hadrian, who for some stranger reason seems resign to not going despite looking like Yule had come early a few seconds ago, has him giving in. It was almost as if he just assume that he wasn't allowed to ask for things. "Oh alright."

"You should come along Will." Orion injects after a meaningful look from the eldest Hufflepuff no matter how brief it was. His father stiffens obviously not expecting him to extend the offer. As far as his parents were aware this was a plan he had come up with to get alone time with Hadrian- though he hasn't said it Dad more than clearly implied they believed that- and while it would be nice to just be Orion and the boy he fancied, he did have a debt to repay.

He still didn't know what favors Diggory had to call in from the Slytherin upper-year contacts he had, but it must have been important if they were able to find out Hadrian's secret love of ice-skating and the valuable information was something the werewolf needed to return with something equally as valuable. An afternoon with Will was the perfect thing. "It would be fun."

"I can't. Someone has to watch the store-"

"Sirius and I won't mind letting taking over." Father offers obviously seeing where Orion was aiming for even if he didn't know why. "it's been a whole year and not once have I seen you have a day for yourself, Will. You deserve to take a break."

The young adult blinks. "I don't know how to ice-skate."

"Neither do I, but I would still go if I was you." Diggory gasps out sounding like his voice was struggling to stay even. He turns red as the eldest Evans turns to look at him but stubbornly keeps going. "I mean wouldn't you like to try new things?"

"I suppose..."

"Cedric." Hadrian blessed his magic core asks the question that Orion still didn't know how he would offer. "Want to come with us? If your Dad wouldn't mind."

The Hufflepuff grins in such a self-satisfied way that the werewolf has seen many of the badgers do and for one split second, he wonders if the whole magical world has been fooled into thinking the house of yellow, hugs, and plants were much more then particularly good finders. How common was it for the Puffs to pull favors, manipulate, and plan like this? Should he be weary of them instead of the Slytherins?

"I'll ask him as soon I get home" The Hufflepuff agrees. "I'll send an owl with his answer. When are we going?"

Will was forced to give a date and time with everyone staring at him, and the trap was snap closed.

On the promised day, Father and Dad stayed behind to man the store, Dad using one of his sick days at work to help out with the promise to take Father on a date as soon as they returned from the ice rink. It has been a long time since his parents had a night just for them, so Will had offered to babysit Orion- though it killed him to be considered someone who needed a babysitter- and have the young werewolf spend the night.

Dad had booked them a table at a fancy up-crust restaurant the moment Father told him about Will's offer, kissing his husband hand asking if he remembered their last outing that had Orion retreating to his bedroom and not see his parents be embarrassing. He couldn't help but smile at the happy glow of Father as the day towards his date got nearer, somehow the elder werewolf was still excited about dates with his husband even after all these years.

He found himself fantasizing about one day being the same way with Hadrian, old but still madly in love, and he spends a lot of time pressing a pillow to his face in order to calm down as his stomach had a conviction of butterflies. It made waiting for his own outing that much more nerve-wracking, especially since he started to think of this as a date himself. It took hours to pick the proper outfit and even then, Orion was still nervous beyond belief.

It didn't help that Dad keep giving him creepy grins, much like the Grinch whenever he walked by the hallway bathroom and found Orion fumbling with styling his hair in a different way. So he wanted to look good for Hadrian sue him.

Diggory showed up right on time, dressed in his best muggle outfit which Orion vetoed the moment he saw it.

"My dad said all muggles dress like this," Diggory argued as he was here inside while his Father resized one of Orion's outfits for him to wear. "He said it's proper everyday wear."

"Yes in the 70s. Where on earth did you get it?"

"He wore it during an undercover case...in the 70s. Is it really that bad?"

"It's burning my eyes"

Thankfully, they were able to get Diggroy properly dressed and one trip through the floo, had them meeting the Evans at the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron. Orion actually stopped in his tracks when he saw Hadrian who for some reason also dressed up today in a new pair of jeans a black button-down long-sleeve shirt. His hair was tousled in a way that screams Will's special touch, framing his face and accumulating to his pretty features in a way that made his cheekbones pop.

The young Black felt his mouth go dry and the werewolf knew he wasn't the only one highly affected. All around them, wizards and witches were eyeing the handsome pair the Evans made, with Hadrian gorgeous smile on full display as he laughed at something Will said, some with daze eyes others with flustered faces. The small boy didn't notice stepping in front of his older brother to gesture rapidly, most likely discussing Runes as only that topic gets him rambling like this.

Will himself was in a new pair of jeans, black and slightly ripped with a checkered shirt thrown over a comfy-looking black one, combat boats and long hair loose he looked like every bad mistake your parents warn you to stay away from. Diggory chocked. "Oh Merlin, he's so...look at him..."

"I know" He gasps watching Hadrian press a hand against his mouth to hide his laugh. His best friend never liked to laugh loudly and always shied away from by hiding it behind his palms. His stomach flipped. "Gosh, I know..."

Will glances up, sees them, then sends them a grin that was nearly heart-stopping waving his hand to invite the pair over. Hadrian looked over his shoulder at them, eyes relax most likely already aware they have been there but still quirking his own half-smile, which made everything seem to slow down for a few seconds. Whatever high power gave the Evans brother's their looks should be worship like the gods they are.

"Remember" Diggory hisses under his breath as they walk towards the brothers. "We stay together for a while then we separate, you have to tell Hadrian how you feel while I do the same with Will. This won't work if we aren't honest."

Confessing.

Orion wasn't ready.

But he was going to tell him how he felt. He was. "I know. Good luck Diggory."

"You too Black."

The brothers are comfortable in the muggle world. Hadrian more so, taking the lead as he hailed down a taxi and gave the driver directions to the Ice rink. The winter establishment was quite far, according to the driver, a good forty to fifty minutes but the four were willing to wait it out. They all piled into the auto, making arrangements, and off they went. With Will sitting in the front, the three teenagers in the back, Orion felt the heat of Hadrian's leg pressed up against him in the small muggle vehicle, as he sat in the middle of the two Hufflepuffs.

The drive was a peaceful one, filled with soft conversation of the boys and a jazz song the radio was playing. Mostly everyone was content with watching the world go by, riding in silence.

He couldn't breathe for most of it even when he felt Hadrian slowly ease into his side, comfortable with their closeness. His friend even rested his head against his shoulder at one point, closing his eyes as if he dozed off and Orion keep his eyes firmly on his curled up hands resting on his knees because if he turns his head then he would be mere centimeters from Hadrian's face and his heart could not handle that today okay?

In his peripheral vision, he saw Diggory give him a thumbs up, and when he raised his gaze due to the driver hitting a speed bump, Will's amused green eyes were in the rearview mirror staring right back at him, the young adult processed to wink at him as if he knew just what the werewolf was thinking. Orion swallowed and looked back down as Hadrian mumbled and snuggled close to this neck.

I'm going to die. The werewolf thinks horrified. This is how I go. Death by a heart attack due to pretty boy sleeping on me. Merlin, what a great way to go.

Hadrian's head slumped a little due to a turn. Orion carefully raised an arm to wrap around him and keep him in place, the small boy sighed in his sleep, snuggling closer. Orion smiled, heart, fluttering at the noise, even though his face turns a few hues redder.

Today is the day. Today I will make him mine.