Grass is greener on the other side (James)

Lukas was wandering about the green houses looking for a specific herb. He needed tincture of thyme to finish his potion he was working on for extra credit for Maddox. He continued down the rows, not seeing it anywhere, "Where the bloody hell is it?"

@James Potter

James had been enjoying the fresh air after being cooped up working on a few more missing assignments; he supposed there was a reason why he procrastinated on them all the time. He stood in the greenhouses for a while forgetting why he had come there in the first place. Oh, right, he was looking for Lily. She didn't seem to be around though. What was he going to do now?

Hm, maybe he'll ask that bloke if he's seen his sister. Yeah, that'd do. He walked towards him and asked, "Er, have ye seen Lils around?"

@Lukas Parkinson

Lukas spun around when a voice suddenly spoke from behind him, his face definitely a few shades whiter, "Jesus, Potter. You scared the shit out of me." He placed a hand on his chest and tried to calm his breathing, "Do you mean Lilith or Lily? I haven't seen either of them out here."

@James Potter

"Er, sorry?" James blinked at Lukas not sure how his presence could've scared him that much. The other bloke looked like a vampire with how pale he got! "Lily. I dunno if Lilith gets called Lils. Anyway, have ye seen 'er 'round?"

Now that he thought about it, weren't he and Atticus a bit of a thing for a few weeks?

@Lukas Parkinson

"Yeah no I haven't seen her. You wouldn't happen to know where I can find tincture of thyme in here do you?" He really wanted to get this potion right. Felix felicis was not an easy brew to do. But Maddox needed it for some contest he was going to do for his class and Lukas could always use extra credit, "How ya been mate? I heard alot of shits been going down between you and Atticus sister."

@James Potter

Tincture? "I dunno much 'bout potions, but I think ye gotta make tinctures or buy 'em." That was one of the subjects James didn't get into the NEWTS class for; he never cared all that much for it even though it was one of the more hands-on subjects. It was too high maintenance.

"Fine considerin' the circumstances." It was weird to think about how the sprog was going to be born before the school year would end. How the hell was he supposed to get spring exams done? "Lotta shit's understatin' it."

@Lukas Parkinson

Lukas chuckled and moved some hair from in front of his eyes, "Yeah maybe you're right I'm not the best at potions either. That's why I need the extra credit. I mean I'm good, but I could be better." He knew about the circumstances James was facing. Everyone in Hogwarts knew. "Alayna is a bit.... Dramatic sometimes." He didn't want to talk bad about Atticus sister.

@James Potter

Extra credit... He then thought about Lien as Professor and him being a not-so-bright student in desperate need of better grades. This wasn't the best place to fantasize. He then shifted his thoughts to those busty magazines Fred found in the forest. That was close enough to a cold shower.

"A bit dramatic's an understatement."

If fucking only that bitch was just a bit dramatic. She'd be less insufferable if that was the case.

"Shoulda 'eard some of the shit she flung at Atticus. Fuckin' bitch."

@Lukas Parkinson

Lukas was curious as to what Alayna could have said to separate the twins. He knew how much Atticus loved his sister. It was blatantly visual that they cared deeply for one another. He didn't really like that James was driving a wedge between them, but it wasn't his palace to say that, "What kind of things?"

@James Potter

"She didn't like how we've slept together multiple times 'cause he was showin' that he cares for me. She shoulda known that he wouldn't bloody agree with her 100% o' the time!"

Ah, James and his lack of filter.

@Lukas Parkinson

His nose wrinkled a bit as he spoke of having been with Atticus multiple times. Sure, he and Atticus had never gotten that far. But that didn't mean he hadn't wanted to or that he wanted to hear about James and him, "I kind of understand where she's coming from. She doesn't like you. They're twins. She figured he would side with her no matter what. So she's upset now." It made logical sense to him, "And with being upset she's definitely acting out."

@James Potter

It was peculiar to hear a fellow gay bloke defend Alayna, especially when she proved that she was no better than her father or that slimy git partner of hers.

"She shouldn't've outed me then. I dunno what the hell she was expectin' knowin' Atticus' history."

@Lukas Parkinson

"I agree with you. She shouldn't have. But she did. And now she's learning her lesson. But I don't think ruining her relationship with her brother is going to end well for either of them." He knew of Atticus history with his father. And he knew Alayna had been a mess during his time gone he had been happy when he saw how glad they were to have one another again. But now it' was all shit.

@James Potter

"Are ye implyin' that I'm ruinin' their relationship?"

Was he not allowed to have fun with a fellow gay bloke? Besides, Lien was definitely straight, so he didn't see the harm in engaging in various acts with Atticus.

"She ruined it herself. She invaded his privacy by goin' through his crystal."

@Lukas Parkinson

"No. No that's not what I mean. Well... I mean" he didn't know how to say how he felt. He knew in the end Atticus and Alayna needed each other. "She went through his crystal? Or she was using and it had found something?" James didn't need to know that he met with Alayna for tea every now and then. Everyone needed someone. And he knew she felt bad for her previous actions. But she needed to apologize to Atticus and James before anything could get any better.

@James Potter

James raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms listening to Lukas stammer his words. What did he mean?

"She went through his crystal while he was takin' a piss or somethin' like 'at."

That was what it sounded like based off of the message Atticus had sent him after it happened.

@Lukas Parkinson

Lukas didn't know what to say to that. He didn't knew if it was true or if Atticus had just been angry afterwards, "Look, mate. All I know is if oleander started treating me like shit cu of some girl he started dating I'd be pretty pissed. And me and my brother aren't nearly as close as Atticus and Alayna are. Shit went down in the past but it's time for all of you to just move on. Or someone's going to end up getting hurt. And it might not just be Alayna."

@James Potter

"Of course I would. But I also see things from other people's point of views. Maybe she thought doing what she did would her relationship. It obviously didn't cuz Lien dumped her. But that's what I mean. She's learning her lesson. She doesn't need you making it worse and she doesn't need her brother kicking her out of his life." It wasn't his palace to even be saying these things. But he knew how Alayna was feeling, "Maybe you guys should try talking to her. Actually talking. Not yelling and calling names and trying to hurt each other "

@James Potter

Grimacing, his eye twitched. What the hell was he talking about?

"Atticus has been cordial as fuck to her when he coulda chose not to. I dunno what the fuck yer talkin' 'bout. He didn't bloody kick 'er out, it was the other way 'round. Neither of us intended for 'er to know!"

Though he was hoping to use it as some sort of gotcha months from now. Well, at least he can continue having fun knowing it'll keep making Alayna seethe. That was satisfying.

"I ain't entitled to forgive 'er or waste my energy on 'er. Maybe ye should know 'at."

@Lukas Parkinson

"Maybe that was part of the problem. They're siblings. Twins. And suddenly Atticus is keeping something from her.that might be new territory for them. I just know I wouldn't want to be the reason they're fighting. One day one of them is going to wake up and need the other one. They're gonna make up. And you're gonna have to deal with Alayna. It's gonna happen sooner or later." It was true. The twins would make up sooner or later. It was inevitable.

@James Potter

"She hid 'at rat Ptolemy bein' involved in outin' me from him. It's fine for her to keep some shit private and not him?"

Maybe there was a reason why those two didn't do anything beyond light pecks and hand-holding at most. Either way, there was something bloody bizarre about Lukas caping for Alayna so hard.

"They 'ere fightin' before we started shaggin'! I can't help that she can't accept that Atticus has autonomy! Bein' twins don't mean they gotta see eye-to-eye."

@Lukas Parkinson

"I'm saying neither of them should be lying and keeping secrets!" He shouted without meaning to. He was just upset that the people he cared about were upset. "They don't have to see eye to eye. But you constantly shit talking Alayna to Atticus isn't going to help either. Because one day they are going to make up. And if you're still on the fuck Alayna train you could end up losing Atticus because of it." He was done with the conversation. He was heated and needed to let some stress out, "It's getting late and I have dinner plans. Just think about it, mate." He said before exiting the greenhouses in search of Levi.

@James Potter

James stared at Lukas in confusion as he watched the other bloke leave the greenhouses. What the hell was he talking about? He was certain Alayna probably shit-talked him just as much, but he supposed it was fine in Lukasland. What if Lukas was..? Jealousy would explain it!

Pulling out his crystal, he messaged Atticus about the encounter. At least his family wasn't that bothered by him having fun with the better Nott twin. Now if only he could manage to get Lien completely out of his head while having relations...