chapter_behind | (no subject)

[The day Randolph fails to succeed in a cunning plan will be a sad day indeed. He may not be the most openly ambitious of the Slytherins, but he would take the prize for behind-the-scenes manipulation, if there were such a prize. There isn't, because when done well, no one realizes it's happening.

Which is to say that yes, he got away, though not as quickly as he would like. The first year he was tutoring in Potions clung like a leech, so he meets James at the door.]

Evening, Norrington.

Evening, Lyall.

[James keeps his tone low, glancing about to see if anyone else is there. The portrait secures itself, locking them in the room -- quite alone. Well, except for the mermaid, but she doesn't tease James too much.

Lyall, with his pointy ~~ears~~ nose, is another story.]

And how are you tonight?

[Lyall strips off his outer robe and begins to loosen his tie.]

How was your Quidditch practice?

Excellent. Took a hit from a bludger, though. I imagine it'll make quite a bruise.

[He doesn't seem too worried about that as he comes over his hands settling on Randolph's shoulders.]

Leave some for me.

I wore extra layers just for you.

[He smiles up at him, reaching to unknot James's red and gold tie instead.]

And because it's bloody cold in the dungeons this time of year, I suppose.

[That is much better. Randolph's fingers on his clothes. Not that he dislikes watching Randolph get naked.]

You really ought to do something about that. You'll freeze right through.

Oh, we manage. There are heating charms, after all.

[Lyall thinks the administration should ensure the dormitories are all properly heated, but when he starts complaining about the state of the school it delays sex.

He gets the tie undone and goes on to James's buttons.]

Are you spending Christmas holidays here?

[James hesitates. He got a letter from his mother making it clear that she expects him home -- and he doesn't want to disappoint her, but he'd much rather be with Randolph.]

I'm not sure yet. You?

Mmm, no, I don't think so. I have an Arithmancy project to work on and the house is simply far too noisy to get anything done.

[Besides which his siblings are far too curious and his parents don't like the idea of him showing off his magic to them.]

[James slides his hands under Randolph's robe, running them down his spine to the small of his back.]

You could come with me. [He looks wry.] I guarantee the house won't be noisy.

[Randolph makes a pleased noise.]

You could stay here and we could take over the library.

I'd never hear the end of it.

[He leans in, nuzzling against Randolph's neck.]

You're in Slytherin. They'd probably adopt you on the spot.

[He can't help but laugh, though it's more than a bit wry.]

Being your brother would be highly inconvenient, you know. I'd rather not.

[Instead he nips him on the ear.]

[That does feel nice. He closes his eyes and leans in, laughing himself.]

I'll see about staying.

[He has his own reasons for wanting to avoid James's parents, the ones he hasn't even told James, of course.]

I hope you can. Otherwise I'll spend a fortune in owl treats from writing to you.

[James is hardly stupid. He knows all the pure blood families; they all do. There isn't any 'Lyall.'] You'd owl me?

[At least he's been good enough not to talk about it. It makes Lyall quite uncomfortable.]

No, I would leave you to pine through the entire holiday without a single line.

That sounds more like you.

[Affectionately, nuzzling in against his neck.]

My project does promise to be quite absorbing.

[He smiles, then takes a step back.]

In any case, neither of us are nearly naked enough.

I agree. We should do something about that.

[He leans down to kiss Randolph slowly.]

[Lyall leans up to kiss back, pulling his wand out and murmuring the charms between kisses to get James's clothes off.]

Trust a slytherin to cheat.

[He says it affectionately, despite everything, his own hands unfastening Lyall's robe and letting it pool at his feet.

You mean 'trust a Slytherin to get what they want'.

[And what Lyall wants is to nibble on James's neck, right where it joins to his shoulder. He's not worried about leaving a mark, since it's easy enough to heal.]

You'd better give those back to me later.

[Who knows where Randolph vanished them to. But his voice trails off under the assault, his head tipping back, leaving him open and exposed to Randolph's sharp teeth as he strips off his uniform.]

Randolph...

If you are very good, I suppose I could be persuaded.

[He bites a little harder, the only way he's showing his impatience about how long it's taking James to get his uniform off.]