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Post by Torsten Ericsson on Jun 15, 2015 0:59:35 GMT
"Hey," Torsten greeted, stepping into the Hospital Wing. His eyes immediately fell on Dominic, and he internally thanked his lucky stars that they were given a little bit of privacy, since no one else seemed to be in the infirmary at the moment. The halls were uncharacteristically dark, and the sky outside was darker. Cumulonimbus clouds, signaling an upcoming storm.
How fitting, he thought bitterly. Times were getting tough. Three murders in the safest school in Scotland. The news of Head Healer Stillwater's death (and deeds) hadn't gone to the public yet, but sooner or later it will, and parents will start fearing for their children's lives. He had heard from Sal about what happened, and had asked the fourth year Ravenclaw to pass on a small message to Dominic since Tor had been swept up in his Potions work load, but now he had the time and the bearings to visit.
Dominic looked like a mess. When did he last get his insulin shot? Torsten asked himself, worried. Didn't Stillwater make those injections? Had Stillwater done something wrong to Dominic?
There were rumors, rumors that Dom was in on Stillwater's disgusting acts, and even if Sal doubted, with a note of fear in her eyes and a tremble in her lips, Torsten refused to believe them. Dominic was a good person. He would never.
"Hey," Torsten greeted again, allowing his feet to take him where Dominic was. He produced a small bouquet flower from behind him and smiled a gentle smile. "I got some help from the Herbology expert in my class to brighten up this place. He helped me, um," he cleared his throat and grew red. Where was his manliness? "Borrow them. Don't be mad?" He pleaded, embarrassed.
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Dominic Winslow
Gryffindor
Gryffindor Towel boy
Posts: 402
Characters: Professor Augustine Bane
Riley Riverson
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Post by Dominic Winslow on Jun 15, 2015 16:44:56 GMT
Dominic remembered the last time he had felt this bad. Last year, when his sister had died and Dom stopped eating, taking his injections, talking... That earned him a month in the care of St.Mungos. While his health or mental stability hadn't declined as much as it did then, his entire face seemed sucked of life. Dominic looked ill. It seemed unnatural for the boy not to be his usual bouncing ball of cheerfulness. It was odd for his ever present smile to be gone.
He continued to repeat in his mind to stay positive. It was hard to though when everything seemed to be against him. To be speculated to participate in those actions Mr.Stillwater did made him... Angry. Dominic couldn't remember the last time he was mad about anything. He didn't know what to do with the emotion. But most of all he was just worn and depressed. His brother seemed about ready to pull him from the school. Dom had fought with him tooth and nail, trying to explain to the best of his ability why he had to stay.
As the voice spoke up, Dom tensed. Usually he was able to hear the approaching footsteps of someone entering the hospital wing. His mind was failing him. But he did recognize that low rich tone, the one that made his stomach flutter. Dominic had been sitting in the front desk, fingers clamped tightly together in a vice grip, gaze zoned out onto the dark rolling storm clouds outside.
Dominic turned his head to face the other boy, not really taking in all of his words properly. He was lost on the way he looked today. More and more Dominic found himself thinking about him. He was that happy thought to turn to, the little bit of normalcy he needed. A soft tired smile lifted to his lips and Dominic accepted the flowers, holding them to his nose and inhaling the scent. His entire body seemed to fall into them, eye's shutting and smile widening.
At first he didn't respond, just let himself be consumed by the bouquet before he gradually titled his head up once more.
I like you a lot, and I'm sorry.
"This is exactly what I needed, thank you." Dom said earnestly, gaze lingering on his for a moment before returning to the flowers. "I'm sorry I've been so distant lately."
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Post by Torsten Ericsson on Jun 16, 2015 1:36:20 GMT
"It's fine." Tor whispered hoarsely, reaching out but stopping midway. The urge to draw the shorter boy into his arms and hold him close fiercely clawed inside his chest. His fingers twitched, and Tor clenched his hand, shoving it back into his pocket.
It hurt to look at Dominic. He looked so lifeless. Dominic was the sun, bigger than life and so so warm. Tor hated seeing him like this. Made him feel so helpless, made him realize he knew next to nothing on how to really make Dom laugh again.
"Hey," Tor uttered, throat so dry. He swallowed and blinked, gaze moving towards the bouquet. "You really don't look so well. When did you last eat?" He asked.
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Dominic Winslow
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Gryffindor Towel boy
Posts: 402
Characters: Professor Augustine Bane
Riley Riverson
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Post by Dominic Winslow on Jun 16, 2015 1:56:54 GMT
Dominic nodded, gaze locked on the flowers. He lifted a dainty hand to run across he peddles, face solemn painted with a small weary smile. The flowers were nice, something he didn't deserve entirely. It felt nice though to know Torsten still had his back, despite everything he may of heard. Dominic wondered if he should explain himself... But he decided not to. He was done defending his innocence.
"I-" He paused, swallowing back a lump in his throat. When was the last time he ate actually? Dominic wet his lips nervously and he cleared his throat, tilting his head back to look at the other. "I don't remember." He answered honestly with a small sigh, eye's fluttering shut as a look of fatigue passed through him.
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Post by Torsten Ericsson on Jun 16, 2015 2:07:15 GMT
With that answer, coupled with the hopeless expression that made Dom look like a ghost, Tor's hands moved on their own. In a flash, he had cradled Dominic's face gently, reverently touching the skin and the dips, and pressed his forehead against the other boy's. The flowers were squished between them. Tor didn't care.
Dominic's surprised exhale of breath brushed against Tor's lips. Tor wanted to release a long, tortured groan. "You'll be alright." He reassured him seriously, locking blue eyes with green. "Don't worry. I'll bring you a meal." He promised. "Just, please. Stop looking like that." His heart hurt.
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Dominic Winslow
Gryffindor
Gryffindor Towel boy
Posts: 402
Characters: Professor Augustine Bane
Riley Riverson
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Post by Dominic Winslow on Jun 16, 2015 2:30:29 GMT
Dominic didn't know what he was expecting. Possibly a reprimand but not- not this. His heart that seemed to have gone silent picked up again in a dance that only Torsten could elicit. All at once he felt warm, everywhere. Like he had been cut off from the sun and now it was back. The tension that was locked up into his muscles released in a breathy exhale, chest rising and falling rapidly. Dominic had never been touched like this before. Never had someone been so close that he could see every little detail in their eyes. And did Torsten have the most stunning eyes he had ever seen.
"I-I.." He stammered, words not forming. His mind couldn't formulate any intelligent thought at the moment. His brain seemed to have just short circuited. Dominic swallowed thickly, breathing out again and brushing across Tor's lips. They were so close if he could just... He had never kissed anyone before. He never had the urge to kiss someone like this. "O-Okay. Yeah, yes." He stammered.
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Post by Torsten Ericsson on Jun 16, 2015 2:43:10 GMT
Torsten waited, letting a beat pass. And then two. Now, three. He sensed that it was one of those right moments where he could wait for Dominic to make the first move. He was utterly still for a moment.
When Dom only stammered, Tor wilted, but hid his disappointment with a sad little smile and pulled back. Now was not the time for his outlandish, romantic expectations, not when Dom was hurting. "Alright." He said firmly. "Stop whatever you're doing. I'll call a house elf. When I return, I'll have some firewhiskey---don't ask where I'll get a non-alcoholic one, we just need it for the burning-rush---and we'll fill you up." He directed huskily. "You'll be fine." He repeated.
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Dominic Winslow
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Gryffindor Towel boy
Posts: 402
Characters: Professor Augustine Bane
Riley Riverson
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Post by Dominic Winslow on Jun 16, 2015 2:54:27 GMT
Dominic hated himself. He was right there, he could have done it so easily. He should have, even if he got punched in the nose for it. Dom always believed in doing something even if you were afraid. It was better than living your life in a 'what if'. But maybe it wasn't the best time... He was wasn't well. Dom nodded along with his words, hesitating when he spoke of the fire whiskey. He had never drank before but hearing it was non alcoholic, he relaxed. Once Torsten had finished Dom was much more calm, a small genuine smile on his face. It felt so good to smile again because it was natural, not because he felt like he needed to for someone else sake.
"Thank you for doing this... You really didn't have to." Dominic said after a moment as he pushed himself up from his chair, leaning up against the side of the desk and glancing up at the taller boy. "You are very kind, Torsten." He continued, his name like honey on his tongue.
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Post by Torsten Ericsson on Jun 16, 2015 3:01:53 GMT
"Only for you," Torsten blurted out honestly. When the words left his lips, he averted his eyes and scratched the back of his neck in attempt to look casual. "Okay, maybe Sal, too, sometimes." He added hurriedly, a light shade of pink dusting his cheeks. "Anyway, give me three minutes." He hurriedly walked out of the Hospital Wing.
When he returned, he had a tray of non-sweet food, as well as one bottle of firewhiskey and two empty shot glasses. The whiskey wasn't its usual golden red color, but was instead a rather obnoxious shade of blue because of the lack of sugar.
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Dominic Winslow
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Gryffindor Towel boy
Posts: 402
Characters: Professor Augustine Bane
Riley Riverson
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Post by Dominic Winslow on Jun 16, 2015 3:22:23 GMT
Dom's brows raised, a crooked grin coming to his mouth. For a friendship, they both got so flustered. And he wondered maybe if that was a sign he wasn't alone in the way he felt. That is wasn't unrequited but it was such a risk. Dominic didn't think he could handle losing the only thing that was grounding him right now. Dominic nodded as the other went off and while he was gone, he took a shot of his insulin. If his brother knew about how he was not eating and skipping out on his injections again, he would freak out. In hindsight it wasn't the smartest thing to do. Dominic didn't need to give Max that push to take him out of school, he was already fighting tooth and nail with his brother.
Dominic perked up like a puppy seeing his owner return from the store. He seemed a bit too excited. Well, he was starving. And not only for the food. Dom was craving a normal conversation. Something that didn't have to deal with him speaking of torture victims or Mr. Stillwater's death. He noted that the food didn't have sugar in it and he flashed the boy an apologetic smile. "Sorry... This healthy thing kinda sucks, you don't have to suffer with me." He noted, reaching for a salad bowl.
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Post by Torsten Ericsson on Jun 16, 2015 5:00:01 GMT
"Mother warned me I should watch my sweets," Tor answered plainly, placing the tray on a clear spot of Dominic's desk. "She says Dad's bloodline had a pattern of getting diabetic, so I might as well suffer along with you." He said carefreely, offering a small smile. "It's no problem, anyway. Food is still food. What matters is that you're here, and I'm here too." He said firmly, taking a stool and dragging it towards the desk.
He plopped down and started taking the plates and snacks from the tray, arranging them on the table and making sure the ones that could stain were far from the paperwork. Stained paperwork and reports were hardly professional. "There. Now dig in." He rested his elbows on the table and contented himself in watching Dominic.
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Dominic Winslow
Gryffindor
Gryffindor Towel boy
Posts: 402
Characters: Professor Augustine Bane
Riley Riverson
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Post by Dominic Winslow on Jun 16, 2015 16:34:33 GMT
Dominic took a seat back down, brows arching a bit at the mention of diabetes in the blood line. He strongly cautioned Torsten to watch out then, he had time to prevent it. Dom had type one, he was born with the ailment but it hardly bothered him. It was as much as a routine as washing his hands before eating. "Yeah," he agreed with a small half smile. As Tor went about organizing the tray he watched him with slight fascination. He observed the way his dark hair fell into his face, the sharp angles and miles of ivory skin. And of course his subtle full lips. He was swooning and there was nothing he could do to stop himself.
He tried his best to stop staring as Torsten directed his attention to him. It took a moment to get his arms working again but Dominic reached forward for a bowl of soup and a spoon and began eating measurably. He was starving but he hadn't ate in awhile, he didn't want to over stuff himself and get sick. "So Tor, do you have a girlfriend?" He asked suddenly out of the blue. He supposed it was a question that had been in his mind for awhile now. He needed to know so he could let himself down now while it wouldn't be as painful.
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Post by Torsten Ericsson on Jun 16, 2015 23:57:20 GMT
Torsten jerked out of his prone position, taken aback by the random question. He and Dominic had somehow (SOMEHOW) avoided that topic for a long time now, against all odds and whatnot. He didn't quite expect to be asked that.
Well, he might as well be just come with it. Like a band-aid. "No." He answered with a shrug. "I'm homosexual. I apologize if that makes you uncomfortable." Homosexual wasn't quite the right term; he had never been attracted to anyone before, though back in the years he had been fond of looking at appealing individuals. He never felt for them, and Dominic, as far as he knew, was the first one.
His response may have been too blunt, so he leaned back and tried to appear relaxed.
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Dominic Winslow
Gryffindor
Gryffindor Towel boy
Posts: 402
Characters: Professor Augustine Bane
Riley Riverson
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Post by Dominic Winslow on Jun 17, 2015 0:11:29 GMT
Dominic hoped he didn't look as surprised as he felt. He was... Not expecting that. Dominic thought he was pretty much alone at Hogwarts with his sexuality. And he was always okay with that, it's not like he ever felt a connection towards someone before. Of course that was different now with Torsten. His heart jumped a bit and he couldn't help the stupid dopey little smile to come across his lips.
"I'd hope not." He answered with a hum of amusement, reaching for his tea cup and looking up at the other from over the rim. "Considering I'm gay myself." He said as nonchalant as he could. Not like he was eternally freaking out or anything.
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Post by Torsten Ericsson on Jun 17, 2015 0:16:56 GMT
"...Okay." Torsten said after awhile, blinking. What now? He asked himself, attempting not to panic or flounder like the noob he was. Wasn't he supposed to be struck by some life-changing epiphany? What did men do after the confessions?
Well, from his sisters' books, he would say a heavy make-out scene, but these weren't the books and Dominic would most likely punch him on the nose for even trying.
Tor took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he next opened them, he tried for a charming smile. "Well, now that we got that out after knowing each other," he began slowly, lowering his voice. "You're gay. I'm gay. Okay." Merlin, he couldn't say it.
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