Dimension Hoppers

The ice rink was crowded but not overly so. It was during the week, and although it was summertime, Hadrian claimed most muggles didn't go out on a Wednesday because that wasn't within their work hours. The ice rink had a gym, three different types of pools, and five chain restaurants all in one place.

The muggles called it a "community center" which Orion has heard his father mention but he never personally gone to. It was a fantastic sight to see, how large and multiple-use the building was, experiencing it for the first time with his crush who smiled cheekily at him when he noticed Orion's awe.

Not that it was obvious he was in awe as Orion knew and created a perfect blank mask yet somehow Hadrian always seemed to know what he was thinking with only a few glances. It made his heart flutter.

Diggory and he spent the time it took the Evans to pay at the desk for a day pass gawking at the muggles racing each other in the pools a level below through the windows, having never seen an indoor pool with a water slide before. Orion wondered if Hadrian liked swinging, maybe he could ask him to go to the lap pool or the whirlwind one where muggles were spinning in the water screeching with laughter the next time they came

If they came back. If his confession didn't ruin anything between them. He had to force the anxiety away by shear forces as the brothers return with some kind of wrist band that granted them access to the ring and gym for the day. They explain it was in case they rather the full day pass instead of the one hour, in case they felt like staying longer or they wanted to go out for any reason.

The first thing the group did after strapping on the bands was wandered down to the food court as they had been patient enough to wait out the fifty-minute drive but they were famished by the time they arrived. The court had some tables set up while little restaurants took orders and called out numbers as muggles mingled and ate.

Neither Hadrian nor Will had a preference on what to eat but Diggory was indecisive as he scans the five offered food. Orion himself wanted to try the meat-based stand that looked Asian in nature, tugging on Hadrian's sleeve to nod his head in that direction. His best friend beam at him, something the werewolf started to notice he did whenever Orion made a decision on his own unprompted.

It made him feel like he could do anything because Hadrian made him feel like he was everything.

I love you so much The thought hits Orion like a bolt of lightning, leaving him light-headed and breathless as he fell in step with Hufflepuff who slipped into the line waiting to have his order taken. He had to stomp down the urge to do something stupid like reach for Hadrian's hand to hold. They waited in comfortable silence while the werewolf observed the crowd. There were an interesting amount of muggles running around in rainbow color outfits and a few even had what looked like rainbow flags tied around their shoulders.

"It's Pride," Hadrian says on his left noticing his curious gaze.

"Pride? Like a pack of lions?"

Green eyes crinkle in a genuine smile that the other rarely shows. It makes Orion's inside spam in nervous glee while causing his palms to turn sweaty. "Cute idea but no. Pride as in "I take pride in who I am and stand with others like me against violence and discrimination" Muggles who are homosexual aren't very accepted by the masses. They are scorn and spat at if they are outed. Sort of like a werewolf."

"What?" Orion asks utterly shocked. How could a man loving another man be anywhere near having his condition? He could kill someone if he forgot to take his potion and become a literal raging monster. He just couldn't wrap his head around the idea of it.

"Yeah, I don't understand it either. Then again prejudice doesn't have any rational reasoning. It's just an excuse to be cruel to others," Hadrian shrugged. Moments like these reminded Orion why Hadrian was placed in Hufflepuff instead of Gryffindor. He blatantly ignored what society deemed outcasts and chose to stand with the misfits without batting an eye. Hadrian is so brave...his knees are turning to jelly.

Orion turns his gaze up at the menu so the other wouldn't be able to see him blushing. There were lots of meals advertised with words he didn't know. The werewolf was interested in the Teryaki chicken, with some orange chicken but he was also looking at Beef Bowl. His mouth watered wanting all of it but he knew he wouldn't finish it all.

Hadrian tugged on his sleeve. "We can share."

His face heated up much more because how did the other just know. His eyes soften as he stared back at the Hufflepuff who beams at him. Maybe...there was hope for his confession after all. The teenager standing at the cashier register seemed utterly bored, not caring for the tender moment the two were sharing, and stared at them blankly until Orion and Hadrian ordered.

They return to the other two who were eating already on one of the tables, Will a salad, and Diggory was eating some kind of pasta with an expression of pure bliss. He kept throwing besotted glances at the long hair man on his right but either the store owner didn't notice or he simply ignores them. Orion felt bad for Diggory. The four ate while making comfortable conversation, Diggory explaining this up-coming year's team drills for Quidditch in a not so casual attempt to get Hadrian to join the team.

Orion had watched the boy wave off any Hufflepuff begging him to join all year after that one pick-up game that the werewolf watched from the stands and it was hilarious how had the badgers tried. He knew the Evans were talented in Quidditch- just about everything they did was amazing- Will with his amazing maneuvers and Hadrian with the control of his broom that almost seem as if the wood was an extension of his person.

The Hufflepuff house would be unstoppable with both Hadrian and Diggory on the team. The other houses would have to wait until they graduated if they wanted the Quidditch Cup. Orion could already see the other male in his yellow uniform out flying Potter with grace and ease of a madman who had nothing to lose but the wind in his hair and the spark of glee in his eyes. He would look so attractive in those uniforms...

"Maybe you should join" He suggested quietly when the other two moved on in the conversation to some of Will's cursing breaking days. Green eyes flickered to him. "If you like flying."

"You think I should join the Quidditch team?" Hadrian repeated a little baffled and...oddly invested.

"Yes."

Orion has to smother a grin at the pink and embarrassed expression that appears on Hadrian's face as the other turns away to bite into a small piece of beef. He chews carefully before mumbling. "I only join if you go to the games."

Did he mean he wanted Orion to watch him?! A familiar feeling of being kicked in the chest by an invisible force hit the werewolf and he turns away to hide his own blush as well. He twirls the fork in his hand, heart pounding like a child on a sugar rush. "I wouldn't miss a single one."

Will's amused green eyes watch from across the table, Orion sure he saw and heard them even though they spoke very lowly and he wants to melt in his seat. They finish their lunch without much else to say or do but the werewolf can't help but notice the way the brothers fall back and the teasing elbow the eldest throws into the smaller one's side. He wonders if they are talking about him.

"How is it going?" Diggory asks as they tie on the skates that Will paid for. The ice rink is a lot colder than Orion thought it was going to be, despite knowing it was ice they would be gliding on. Thankfully when no muggles were looking Will- as the only one allowed to do magic outside of school though Orion knew Hadrian could do it too- applied a heating charm to all of their clothes. "I saw you two blushing together."

Orion glares at him around the heated cheeks he knew were growing warmer by the second. The older Hufflepuff laughs. "Calm down. That's a good thing! I really think Hadrian likes you. I'm...not sure on Will."

He winces. He didn't think Diggory was making any sort of progress with the eldest Evans either and really he felt bad for him. Orion wasn't stupid even those many of his classmates said otherwise, and he was much more aware of social cues than people gave him credit for. Yes, it was hard for him to communicate but that didn't mean he missed what was in front of him.

A part of him has acknowledged that Hadrian looks at him differently compared to everyone else, unknowingly or not, the other did. He often turned to Orion first, and his eyes followed the werewolf around the room without conscious thought. He also touched him the most, often leaning into him or pressing himself against him for a few seconds but it was more than what he did with any of the others. Even Malfoy, who arguably was his biggest competition didn't get to have Hadrian relaxing around him enough to fall asleep, something the other teen desperately needed at times.

Sometimes Hadrian even found himself scooting closer to Orion to sleep on- like before in the taxi- and he didn't do that even with his own brother, awake or otherwise. He doesn't think the Hufflepuff is aware of it himself, but he knew that to Hadrian, Orion was special.

Yes, his best friend was pretty dense who didn't realize this on his own since he was still under the impression that Orion fancied Malfoy- ew- and he hasn't picked up on any of his attempts of flirting but the matter still stood that he may have a chance. Something Diggory didn't seem to have at all and that had to hurt.

He awkwardly pats the other on that arm which causes a weak chuckle. He doesn't say anything because there isn't he could say, still, he thinks the Hufflepuffs get it with the grateful look he receives. Without a by your leave, he nods back and makes his way to the rink. Hadrian is already standing at the edge of its wall staring in awe at the muggles who are going in one large circle.

Orion falls to his side grinning at the childish wonder on his best friend's face, nodding his chin to the rink. Hadrian takes a careful step on the ice, then another and he promptly slips. It's only because of his werewolf reflexes that Orion is able to rush forward and catch him before he hits the floor. The smaller boy stumbles in place as the two fumbles on the ice, the Hufflepuff is unable to keep his balance, and the Gryffindor struggling to do the same with the boy in his arms shaking everywhere.

"Oh gosh. Oh no." Hadrian says grabbing onto his shoulders in a death grip as his feet slid this way and that. "This looked a lot easier than it actually is!"

"Stop moving-Hadrian!" The two hit the ground, the cold unforgiving ice, causing pain to flair up his bum as the other boy's chin slams into his shoulder. Hadrian groans in pain on top of him. A few muggles pass them laughing, and Hadrian blushes a deep red that makes the wolf in the Black sneer in protective rage. Who were they to judge him? Orion helps him to to the wall where Hadrian holds onto to keep himself upright. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine." Then a wonderful sound filled the air. Hadrian is laughing. "We fell! I'm utter pants at ice-scatting! Ha!"

Orion wonders why in the world he fell in love with a madman. Who is happy about falling down on ice? Still, he can't help but laugh with the other and they slowly carefully make a loop around the large circle, mindful of the muggles in the way. He spots Will and Diggory making loops on the other side of the rink, chatting easily unaware of the muggles throwing appreciative looks in their directions.

Hadrian spends the whole time holding on to the wall or Orion's hand as the werewolf is not as graceful as the other muggles but at least he can stand upright and with a few hesitant movements can even glide a few feet. Hadrian can barely keep his feet under him before he tumbling down.

He laughs each time. It's surprising in a way, Orion never thought there wasn't something Hadrian couldn't do yet seeing him fail so drastically at something somehow reminded him of how human his best friend is.

"Are you two having fun?" Will asks skating over to them with a lot less grace than the older male usually had. It seems out of all the wizards only Diggory was able to skate without an issue looking like he had a few lessons already in the muggle sport- Orion is highly suspicious even though he knows Diggory has never been to the muggle world. In terms of skill from best to worst it seem it was Diggory, Will, Orion, and Hadrian.

Will only beat him because he could stand upright without shaking like Orion- though that may be due to Hadrian holding on to him with unsteady balance as the werewolf's strength is the only thing keeping them from hitting the ground again.

"Yeah, this is amazing!" Hadrian gushes a lot happier than someone who fell four times in the first lap had a right to. "Thanks for bringing me!"

Will's eyes soften "You're welcome."

Orion hunches his shoulders when the eldest Evans throws him a grateful look as well almost as if he is silently claiming he is the reason for the other boy's happiness. He knows on some part Will really worried for Hadrian. He isn't aware of what happened, nor are his parents, but he does know Will felt guilty for leaving his parents and Hadrian when the former was killed. He had been on a different curse-breaking mission for the first time and hadn't heard of his parents' death until later, but Hadrian had been present when they died. He watched them die.

Will had confessed to Father that his younger brother suffered great trauma and that he struggled to find ways to make him feel happy and hopeful as when they were both younger. His father had of course sat the family down to discuss the obvious trauma both brothers suffered from and they all agree to do their best to help. Orion had started carefully making sure Hadrian ate and sleep even if it was only a little and the naps weren't long, while his parents kept Will from overworking himself. His Dad was trying his best to slowly encourage Will to go out a little more, wanting him to find someone or at least enjoy his youth a little.

It was a work in progress on both parts but he thinks the two were better now compared to when they first met.

"You alright there Hadrian?" Diggory asks watching the way Hadrian's feet slip again and Orion desperately keeps him upright.

"Sure am. I just didn't realize how hard this would be."

The other Hufflepuff looks baffled for a moment, obviously not expecting the Hufflepuff genius to struggle with anything like Orion did, before he laughs. "You just got to balance your weight like this."

For a few minutes, the group spends a good while attempting to copy Diggory's movements. Muggles dressed in various rainbows colors circle around them some of them doing twirls and jumps that Hadrian watches with obvious wonder and this is one of the best days of Orion's life. It's fun, relaxing and he gets front row seats to Hadrian's glee.

Orion can we try making another circle." Hadrian turns to him, still clasping his hand tightly. "I think I figured out how to move the skates"

The werewolf agrees and together they break away from the other two to try and circle around. He nearly forgets about his nerves for this possible-date until a woman dressed in a bright dress, heavy make-up and large wig comes on speaker with fabulous gusto, random colored spotlights swindling widely around with her entrance.

"Hello, my lovelies!" She says, the muggles projecting her image on the giant screen above the rink even though she can be seen at the top of the rink inside the announcement box. Many people stop to cheer for her and she grins shaking her shoulders slightly. "Thank you all for coming to this year's lovely- Pride celebration! I want to give a special thank you to the community center for allowing us to celebrate true love here. Now I know you all been waiting for this moment for what is love than a true love kiss? Who will be blessed by cupid today and be chosen for our KISS CAM!"

The muggles cheer even louder than before. Orion has no idea what is happening so he carefully moves them over to the closest wall, allowing Hadrian to half lean on it and him as they watched the strange celebration. The woman's winking face disappears to show two girls a few years older than Diggroy inside a drawing of a heart. The two turn to each other with bashful smiles as they spot themselves on the screen.

The muggles started chanting "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" And the two laugh but do so among the cheering of the crowd. The image changes two to men with white hair and wrinkles sitting in the stands. They both give their own smiles but give each other a tender kiss l and the crowd loses their mind.

Then much to Orion's horror, the image changes again and he sees something he rather not. it is himself looking upwards with Hadrian's head peeking around his shoulder also looking up his head barely visible around the heart. His best friend's hand was placed on his shoulder and it tightens when he sees them on the kiss cam.

Around them, muggles start chanting for a kiss but Orion can barely hear them over the beating of his chest as he turns to stare into Hadrian's large green eyes surprise on his pretty face. He doesn't know what to do with himself or what he should do at all.

Then much to Orion's shock Hadrian starts leaning forward. Before he can process what's happening he feels a pair of lips carefully placing a kiss on his cheek. It burns where they touch sending trembles throughout his body but Hadrian pulls back with a blush before he can fully process what happened.

Some muggles cheer others boo wanting a "real" kiss but Hadrian is shaking his head. His scent though...oh goodness his scent. Orion had always been always to smell people's emotions, at some level due to the body producing certain scents when they are experiencing them and Hadrian's was practically telling him what the other couldn't.

Hadrian is in love with him.

The information leaves him breathless in awe shocked. As Hadrian is pulling away he reaches out grasping onto his arm to stop him from getting too far away. Before Orion knew what he was doing he turns the boy back to him and blurts "I'm in love with you."

He regrets it immediately afterward the words leave his mouth because of the face Hadrian makes. It's a complicated mixture of confusion, awe, disbelief, and...fear.

Hadrian yanks his arm free from the werewolf's hold racing towards the exit with far less grace than he most likely wanted and Orion is left standing there heartbroken on the ice watching him go. He can't move as Hadrian finally gets to the little opening along the way, throwing a desperate look over his shoulder before scrambling to take off his skates. As soon as his feet are free he is running out of the rink into the lobby.

Will broke away from the crowd to follow after him and Diggory rushed to his side. "What happened?"

"I...I think I just ruined everything" Orion says around his tears. Diggory hugs him close offering him comfort. The older boy leads him to the stands then carefully helps him into the lobby. Orion is choking on his tears, trying hard not to sob in public but it's darn difficult to do so when his chest felt like it was caving in. Some muggles stare but thankfully the older boy glares at them until they look away and finally carries him to a corner in the food court where the tables are empty for some privacy.

Diggory runs his back mumbling reassurances looking utterly lost on what to do.

"Will...rejected me too." Diggory starts sounding broken heart as well. Orion sniffs looking at him curiously. "He um he was really sweet about it. Said he was sorry he was born too early but that he was sure someone my own age would love me. I guess...I figured it would happen. I'm just a kid in his eyes and this whole plan was...a desperate last attempt"

"I...I never thought I would see the fear on his face when he looks at me. Not Hadrian" Orion admits, the hurt cutting into him like a knife. He has gotten used to the fearful and disgusted looks he received over the years but he had not been prepared to have them directed at him from the one person he always assumed wouldn't fall so low. He thought Hadrian would never make him feel bad for being a werewolf.

"...Was he afraid of you or what you make him feel?" Diggory asks carefully after a moment of silence.

Orion doesn't know what to say to that. He is still struggling to find words when he smells Hadrian making his way to them. Stiffening he can't bring himself to look up at him even when Hadrian clears his throat.

"Um Cedric can we have a moment to speak alone?"

The Hufflepuff says nothing glancing down at the werewolf with a question in his eye. It's starting to realize the older boy is protective of him, waiting for his answer and not wanting to leave him if he asked. He had forgotten that while the others had started speaking to him because of Hadrian they were still like having him around...at least he thought that they tolerated him for the Hufflepuff but he may have been wrong.

Maybe they have turned into his friends when he wasn't paying attention.

"It's okay." He whispers and the older boy nods.

"I'll be over there if you needed me," Di-Cedric says moving past Hadrian to a further table out of hearing range but close enough to come to his aid if the Gyfiddor needed it.

Then it's just the two of them. Orion swallows trying to clean his face of tears not knowing what to do with himself and the silence that for once does not feel light.

"Orion...I'm sorry about how I reacted. That wasn't...due to you being a werewolf or anything."Hadrian starts taking a seat next to him. It's cruel in a way that he feels comfort from their shoulders pressing together. "I...appreciate how you feel for me. You're an incredible person but I'm...not comfortable dating you. I'm not comfortable dating anyone until...we both be of legal age. Anyone younger would be wrong. You're just too young for me"

Orion twists to stare at him confusedly "We're the same age."

"Yeah, that..." Hadrian trails off, if it weren't due to knowing him Orion would think this was a pathetic excuse he made on the spot to spare his feelings, or what is left of them. But he does know Hadrian and for some reason, their age really did upset him. "It's not just that. I don't...listen you don't want to be with someone like me. I'm broken."

"What? Do you mean what you went through? Hadrian that's doesn't make you broken."

The Hufflepuff shrugged but it was a strain action as if his shoulder couldn't bear a heavy burden laid upon them. "It's partially that's but I'm broken in another way. I don't feel attraction like normal people do. In fact, I sometimes think I don't feel it at all. I don't think I would mind it maybe but I don't like the idea of sex and all that intimate stuff. I think I like the idea of a relationship and I would maybe sleep with someone if it helped with stress but those sexual urges we are supposed to feel for someone? Yeah, I'm broken. It's why Veela's don't affect me. I'm not even sure if I like girls or boys because I literally only ever noticed one person before and that didn't even last that long. You deserve to be with someone who could give you what you wanted."

Oh.

"You're not broken," Orion says a little firmer. He grabs his friend's shoulder to force him to look him in the eye and he is started by the uncertainty he finds in Hadrains green eyes. "You are not. So you don't feel urges so what? It's a lot more normal than you think. My uncle Peter is like that"

Hadrian's face did a strange shudder but Orion pressed on. "It's not a requirement to have those urges for a relationship. If you never want to that's okay too. If you never want to do any of that with me or anyone that's alright. It's your body Hadrian you decided what happens to it. Never think it makes you anything less for it."

Hadrian was silent for a long moment before he spoke again. His voice was hoarse and cracked like he was fighting tears. "Thank you."

"You're my best friend" Orion started and that was the sum of it all wasn't it? No matter what happens between them, their friendship would survive. Knowing this the werewolf allowed anxiety and uncertainty eased in him. "If you aren't ready now. I can wait."

"What?"

"I'll wait" He repeats firmly. "I really like you. I don't care if you never want to do that kind of stuff. I don't care that you rather wait till we are older. I don't care that you may be confused right now and need time. I'm in love with you and I'll wait for years if I have to. You're worth the wait"

Hadrian was staring at him either utter wonder as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Really?"

"Yes."

He has never seen Hadrian cry which is why when those green eyes filled with tears that he honest to Merlin started to panic. The smaller boy pressed himself to Orion's chest and what else could he do than wrap his arms around Hadrian who silently sobs? It's what pack is for after all. He pushes away his own wants to help him through the pain, and it feels like something melts away from the tension in Hadrian's shoulder.

As if through a part of him could finally relax.

Later, when they clean themselves up some and discuss more Hadrian's possible sexuality- Uncle Peter spoke to Orion a lot about his asexuality and he was rather informed on the subject compare to Hadrian who had never heard of it- he is greeted by Will's silent but utter gratitude and Cedric brotherly grin. The four leave the rink after a few more hours though if Hadrian is a tad bit closer to him than usual no one mentions it.

Orion doesn't need to. He can smell what it means. But he will keep true to his word. He will wait until Hadrian is ready and he will do so by his side as well.