torture ((tucker))

To try and take his mind off quidditch, Addanc decided to get his exercise in by using the gym's equipment instead. That didn't go as well as he wanted because the punching bags were all occupied. So much for it being the closest equivalent to his beater's bat in aggression! He ended up hanging out down in the changing room bathrooms. It was far preferable to watching teams on the pitch with seething jealousy.

@Tucker Boot

Tucker had been someone to distract himself what was going on in his life, and before every full moon spent his time working out and trying to keep his figure in shape. It helped get his mind off things, and being in perfect condition for Quidditch, and it was something he saw as an escape. He had been in the changing room getting changed, and his six pack in full view, as he got ready into his workout attire.

He had spotted someone who he recognized from classes, and he said. "How are you Addanc?" he asked kindly. He heard rumors about him not making the team, and he felt terrible for him. "Your captain has a knack for favorites and it's a disgrace to the entire Quidditch world."

He felt terrible for the kid.

@Addanc Bulstrode

Addanc was looking at himself in the mirror unsure if he should leave his hair as is or tie it back for when one of the punching bags opened up. Spotting Tucker and his glorious abs through the mirror, his cheeks flushed awkwardly as he fake coughed. It was just a little tickle in the throat.

"Yeah, I know... Can we not talk about that, Tuck? Why do ya think I ain't at the pitch right now?"

@Tucker Boot

Tuck felt bad since he sensed that he hit a nerve. "I'm sorry, mate. Just means we can practice together, and no one can accuse any of us cheating." he said giving his friend a smile. He felt like Mackenzie was a complete asshole for what she did and letting herself take beater, it was bad taste.

"Are you excited for the festival? How 's classes?"

@Addanc Bulstrode

"Yeah, that's probably the only pro. Luna's my only friend on the Slytherin team...."

Now he had zero idea how he was going to spend his time outside of classes. Sure, there were clubs to join to get him through term, but he didn't know how many of them would strike his fancy.

"The festival? Shit, I forgot that was happening. My classes are bloody annoying, Tuck. OWLS this, OWLS that. I'm already tired of hearing about it!"

It made him want to rip his hair out. Instead, he gripped the sides of the sink.

@Tucker Boot

Tuck had loved Addanc a lot and throughout the years was grateful he met him. He was his Quidditch buddy, and he was going to miss the friendly competition. "I know and they keep pushing about it being the most important thing for us to pass, and I am like it's horrible. Does it matter? Our parents had to survive their last year being cut short, so I get what the huge fuss is with the school year." he pointed out.

He had been eyeing Danc as he gripped the sink, "Are you good, mate?" he said.

He loved Danc's heart and knew that Slytherin made a grave mistake. "I heard Luna is dating Potter, you know her sister is going on and on about it in the common room." he said walking over. He leaned against the changing room wall, and he wondered what kind of lover nonsense happened in here.

"You are the best Quidditch player, I know."

@Addanc Bulstrode

Addanc couldn't exactly get the comparison, but he supposed he understood the sentiment fine. It was just Tuck trying to comfort him after all. It was sort of different when he did it compared to Luna. Tuck wasn't in Slytherin, he was outside of their house politics. His view would be more objective.

He shook his head. "Nah, I'm not. I don't know what I'm gonna do with myself without practices to attend or matches to prepare for..."

Although the topic was stale, Addanc appreciated the change. It was better than moping over having his position yanked away from him like a child with candy. He let go of the sink and turned around to face Tuck. At least there weren't many people down there, so they were able to hear each other with no issue.

"Yeah, I know. I actually asked Luna about it. It was just a kiss. No tongue."

His brain completely broke upon hearing that compliment. He didn't think he was the best, but he did value Tuck's opinion. He valued Tuck's opinion a lot.

@Tucker Boot

Tuck hadn't been aware of any of the Slytherin politics, but like his father told him, the people in Slytherin don't change, they all were self-righteous assholes who had consideration for others. They liked to take things from who they deemed to be the weak, even if that person earned that position. "You know could always spend it going to Hogsmeade, and Quidditch trials don't exactly require you to be on a team. You were on a team and that's all that matters." he pointed out. Danc was better than half of that team.

He had heard all about the kiss and Bonnie was a complete bitch about it. "What do you think Luna sees in him?" he pointed out, he never understood the attraction with Potter. Yes he liked boys, but James was definitely not the type of guy he would end up going after ever. "He's not even cute, but you are far more attractive."

Addanc had a heart of gold, and that was attractive to Tuck.  

@Addanc Bulstrode

"Everyone goes to Hogsmeade though, there's nothin' about it that gets my blood pumping."

He wanted to do something not just go somewhere. At least it wasn't the year when team recruiters started setting their eyes on students. That would've stung hard. There were still two more years to get on the team again and possibly receive the chance to go pro.

"She didn't say except he's a better kisser than most in Slyth-"

Now that stunned him. Everything in his brain had gone blank. He thought his brain was broken earlier, but it was genuinely broken now. Addanc hadn't noticed that Tuck was harboring affection for him that went beyond platonic; after his one major fumble, he tried to not look too deeply into how his peers looked at him.

"Are you hitting on me..?"

He wanted to be sure that it wasn't some kind of joke.

@Tucker Boot

Tuck had been very openly gay since his third year, but he tried his best to keep the male image. He was an attractive jock who was good at Quidditch, in one of the most attractive positions. He just liked guys more and felt like he could relate more to them to begin with and he liked that a lot. He had also been one who liked personality above everything else, and Danc had a cute look to him that drawn him into it.

"You can pull pranks in Hogsmeade, and spend hours shopping. Zonkos is awesome." he pointed out. He wished Hogwarts had offered way more sports than it did. "We can hang out and just be boys." he said, he loved to fool around, and cause a ruckus, he was a teen boy after all. "You will go pro, mate!"

Then he realized his comment came out, and he hadn't exactly known how Danc would respond. He did really like him and he was one of the kindest Slytherins who came from an asshole family. He hoped he didn't fumble, and he gave Danc a bit of a smile on his face. His cheeks were blushing.

"Would you be mad if I was?" he asked.

He wasn't going to lie Tuck liked Danc.

@Addanc Bulstrode

"Well, yeah, but we can do that at Hogwarts too!"

Just so he knew it didn't have to be Hogsmeade. He wasn't much of a prankster when it didn't involve his cousins as the victims. It never hit the same, and usually his broom-bat duo was the most fulfilling way to occupy his time.

He hadn't even brought up his concerns about going pro. Fuck. Tuck must've read it straight from his face. They knew each other long enough that they had an idea of what was each other's minds when it came to quidditch. Addanc tried schooling his expression to be less obvious, even while processing the shock of Tuck hitting on him???

"Nah, I wouldn't be mad. I'm just surprised, ya know? 'Cause the last time a bloke tried talkin' to me like that, it was sorta on his face, I thought he was bluffing. He wasn't and I missed out."

But now he had a question. He tucked his hair behind his ears. "How long have ya crushed on me, Tuck?"

@Tucker Boot

Tuck knew they could do that within the walls of Hogwarts, but he didn't feel like having Alayna in her high pitched voice going on and on about following rules. She wasn't a good fit for the job, and he could just picture her high pitched voice, and it gave him the complete utter chills. "Do you really want to be caught by Alayna Nott? On her oh my god you are breaking school policy rants, as if people care." he chuckled.

He loved everyone dearly, but Alayna was a broken record.

The Hufflepuff could feel his cheek blushing, because he liked Danc for a while. He felt he was nicer than most, and didn't look down on Tuck for being part of a blood traitor family. Even if the Boots were just a good family as everyone else, and he didn't get the whole big deal with it. "I liked you for a while, and you are one of the few people in Slytherin who don't see my family as being blood traitors and filthy. When we are the average wizarding family."

He was just so kind, and Tuck liked it. "I'd say a year now. Just thought you were too into the typical jock mold."

@Addanc Bulstrode

Addanc shrugged, feeling no real concerns in regards to Alayna hypothetically catching them. He really didn't give a shit about Alayna. "We can still get disciplined in Hogsmeade too, that's why it doesn't matter where!" He never felt threatened by her because at the end of the day, they were going to have two Alayna-free years.

He was still in shock at the fact that Tuck had been interested in him for a year. All this time and he somehow didn't pick up on it? It was strange, yet it made him feel rather giddy. His head felt like it was spinning in circles. Addanc wasn't the most natural flirt when other blokes were involved; it was easier when he wasn't going speechless at the first sign of interest.

"Typical jock mold? I don't know what ya mean by that.*

@Tucker Boot

Tuck had admired Danc with all his heart, and everything about him was perfect. He was a teddy bear, and Tuck had felt like Danc would have done better in another house. He had let out a nod, "Yeah, and we both know all the prefects, tend to do their own scandalous activities in Hogsmeade." he pointed out. He had been nice to everyone, and the meant he had literally found out everything about their endeavors.

His face lit up at Danc's confusion, "You love anything Quidditch and spend hours wanting to beat your beater bat. I kind of figured you were one of the guys. Plus you are in Slytherin, which had me scared. Since I know Slytherin is one of the most prestigious of the houses at Hogwarts." he said giving Danc a sigh.

"I should have told you, I was scared."

@Addanc Bulstrode

"If you wanna get in trouble in Hogsmeade, it gotta be for something more memorable than pranking. We can talk about that later."

The fact Tuck had interest in him was a much much more pressing matter. It was such a bomb to have dropped on him while he was in the changing room bathroom waiting for a punching bag to free up. He could feel the blood in his cheeks as the confession replayed in his head. How did he not notice earlier??? He wanted to slap himself in the face so badly!

"I'm passionate about quidditch, but I dunno if I consider myself one of 'em. My only friend on the team is Luna," he replied. "I feel so bloody dumb for not realizing sooner. Fuck, man, I'm always fucking stupid when it comes to other blokes..."

@Tucker Boot

Tuck had nodded at Danc's respect to talk about it later. He would do anything to respect his best friend who he had been harboring feelings for some quite time. He felt his heart sank in his chest at the appearance of Danc's face, and he didn't want him to feel anyway about not noticing. He was perfect and sometimes it took years for friends to realize the other had a feelings for them.

It sometimes took toxic relationships for that.

"You are the best beater I've ever seen. You are better than me." he said with a sigh. He didn't know what to think, but he knew that he liked spending time with Danc. "I just didn't know, and as far as I know everyone in Slytherin think I am some kind of blood traitor freak with an infliction." he pointed out.

Being a werewolf was something he struggled a lot with.

"You aren't stupid." he said giving his best friend a reassuing smile. He seriously wanted to kiss him, but he wasn't sure if it would end up being too much. "I like you a lot, Danc!

Not the way he planned to spend today, but it just came out.

@Addanc Bulstrode

He crossed the bathroom to be closer to Tuck, resting his hand on his shoulder reassuringly.

"I'd stop givin' a shit about what they think. You're kind, sweet, crazily talented. All they do is stare at their galleons and sniff their bums and minges all day! If they really were better than ya, they wouldn't have to make a whole show of it!"

Addanc grinned at him completely unsure of what to say. He wished he was smoother than he was, but he supposed it was part of his charm if Tuck didn't think he was a blundering idiot.

"I like you a lot too, Tuck..."

@Tucker Boot

Tuck had tried to not care what people thought about of him. He just knew that people just had no clue about who he was and he could at least say he came from a loving family. He looked at Danc giving him a smile, his hand on his shoulder, just made him feel so incredibility calm in a lot of ways. "I know, but they love to act so tough. Even though I came from a loving family who didn't care about money or fame. We were just normal, minus being werewolves."

His dad was the best dad any kid could end up asking for.

He really wanted to give Danc a kiss, but he felt that would be a lot right now. "Would you like to go on a date? I feel like I'd want to be far more romantic than anything." he teased. Danc was really perfect, and he couldn't have asked for a better best friend in the entire world. "This school is full of judgemental people."

@Addanc Bulstrode

"That's 'cause they're all in competition with each other. I try to stay outside of it when I'm not on the bloody pitch. There ain't fellow team members to compete against this term! So, I got nobody to compare myself to except my cousins..."

Hector and Thius in particular. He got along with Cecilia the most out of the Burkes.

His lips quivered with nervous excitement when Tuck proposed a date. "Yeah, man! I'd love that! Where should we go..?"

@Tucker Boot

Tuck felt like Mackenzie's judgement was seriously laxing this year. He couldn't believe it in the slightest, and it in a lot of ways should be reported since she hadn't any experience. "Your cousins are quite the batch. Cecilia is one of the nicest of that Burke family, why is Hector so uptight? He's just bleh." he pointed out. He was attractive, but his dry sense of humor was an immediate turn off for Tuck.

"Please tell me your parents are better."

His face lighten up when he heard Danc agree to a date. "I'm glad. We can go to The Three Broomsticks." he said with a sense of excitement going through his body. Danc agreed to a date with him.

"Do you like romantic?"

@Addanc Bulstrode

There was a lot to tell Tuck about his cousins' family. Addanc had only gotten glimpses and secondhand info from family gossip over the years, but it was more than enough to not paint a flattering picture. "You just have to meet their grandmum to know why he's like that. Of course my parents are better! They don't give a shit about what I do as long as I'm safe! Fuck, talking about 'em is the least romantic topic."

Shit, were they officially dating without going on a date yet?What were they? They obviously crossed the line from friendship into relationship without actually doing anything. For now...

"Anywhere would be fine! Really..." Addanc answered unable to contain his enthusiasm. He sort of wanted to jump onto him, but he wasn't sure if he'd break him by doing that. "How romantic are ya thinking?"

@Tucker Boot

Tuck had only known what he could see of Melanthius and Hector, but it had definitely not flattered him. He was a kind and accepting person who loved everyone no matter your background. "I suppose one day we will have to talk about it, but you all come from the wizarding elites to say the least." he smiled. He didn't, but he did have the luxury of being able to say that a branch of his family founded Ilvermorny.

"The Three Broomsticks it is and we can sneak a butterbeer." he said giving him a smile. He did love a good butterbeer and how soothing the drink was for any students. "Well what do you find romantic?" he pointed out. He just wanted to have a good walk, maybe a moonlight walk.

"If you'd like we can visit the Shrinking Shack?"

@Addanc Bulstrode

"That sounds bloody good, but if we're talkin' romance, that ain't romantic enough..."

Addanc licked his lips then bit his tongue as he thought of the most romantic food and drink in Hogsmeade... "Madam Puddifoots has 'lovebird specials'. I never had them before, but some of the broads in my house are always talkin' about it."

If it weren't for its popularity, he'd be all for the Shrieking Shack, but it isn't exactly secret.

"Why not somewhere hidden on the pitch? Only the other players would know about those spots."

@Tucker Boot

Tuck had to admit Danc's idea sounded far more better than his own idea. It just fit the whole mold a lot better and he nodded at Danc's word. "Okay you won. Madam Puddifoot's it is." he said giving his love interest a cheeky smirk. He could look at Danc for hours and admire all that he had to offer him. "I've never been to Madam Puddifoots, so we must go." he said finding the idea to be very romantic to him.

He didn't exactly consider the Quidditch pitch to be something hidden.

"You sure want to risk running into different teams? I mean we can go, if you want." he said, not exactly sure what they are, and yes he liked Danc a lot. He knew people would find something to say.

He'd respect Danc's wishes though.

@Addanc Bulstrode

"Let's go during Hogsmeade weekend then 'cause I know I don't have any plans then..."

His heart was pounding like the bass in a nightclub; the anticipation was already building up, and he wasn't sure how well he'd be able to compose himself until Hogsmeade weekend.

"Y'don't know about the hidden snog spots underneath the stands?"

@Tucker Boot