"For the millionth time Symon, you can't go out buck naked!" Val said more loudly than he needed to but he was getting frustrated.
"But clothes look so restricting." Symon whined, "Just check the book again maybe you missed something.
" I've read and re-read for eight hours Symon, there's nothing helpful in there." He turned away so he wouldn't see the disappointment in the other's eyes. "I'm sorry...I..."
"Val this mess is definitely your fault but you did what any wizard would do on impulse. It was very dumb but it's instinct."
"That's in no way comforting." Val mumbled.
Symon took the stack of folded clothes in his hands, "And neither are these clothes."
Twenty minutes later they were both stepping out of Antiquettes while Symon fiddled with the zipper of the pants he had been given. "Stupid human clothing. Val, it's stuck."
Val rolled his eyes before moving over to help, "Are you sure you're older than me?"
"I've never had to use thumbs so for something so tiny so excuse me." Symon huffed before walking unto the street, "Come on we don't have all night."
Val was just about to follow.
"Lock the door genius. It makes the force field harder to break."
"Right." He ransacked to lock the roor before running after Symon, "Symon wait up."
***
"Activity at the Cullen house you say?" A smooth thoughtful voice said addressing three red robed forms. The glow from this ethereal being was illuminating the room.
"Yes oh Majestic one." A stern female voice came from the central robed figure
"Hmm, they were the ones you reported twelve years ago right?" The being asked. "They're making trouble again?"
A calm male voice responded this time, Actually it's their son, I think he's a newly awakened wizard.
"But that's not the strange thing." Another female voice beside the middle one said. Reports say he stepped out with someone else but he was the only the one home before."
"That's something." The being said not sounding interested.
"He's usually out with his cat, he hardly leaves without it," the figure with the stern voice said.
"Are you insinuating what I think you are?" There was a hint of amusement in the being's voice. "It's a bit of a far fetched assumption isn't it?"
"I tried to tell her." The male voice came.
"No one asked you Raymond." The stern female snapped.
"Ask the watcher to keep monitoring them and in case of anything the boy should be brought in immediately." The being said cutting in, "I have urgent business to see to in Hawaii, if there's anything important you know how to reach me." Yhe being said before vanishing in a puff of purple smoke.
The other female figure turned to the stern one. "Since when do we have a branch in Hawaii?"
"We don't."
***
The Lovejoy house was larger than Val had expected.
"Your invite." The guard demanded gruffly.
"Um...I'm sure it's around here somewhere..." he chuckled nervously checking his pockets.
"The inner pocket of your jacket stupid." Symon reminded.
"No need to be so mean." Val grumbled.
The guard scrutinized the ticket nodded and then turned to Symon, "And you dye-job?"
"Firstly, its my natural hair color you bloody oaf and secondly-"
Val put a hand over his mouth, then addressing the guard he said, "Call the twins, tell them Val brought his friend."
The glared at Symon whioe doing what he was told. A second later they both could her the faint sound of insults being yelled and instructions being given. Right after the guard let them in.
"Sorry for the trouble." Val stuttered out while Symon sauntered in like he was practically the one who was invited. He was surprised to met the twins waiting at the wide open door which allowed music and coloured light to flood out into the cool January air.
"Val you made it, hope the idiotic guard didn't give you too much trouble." Audrey said walking over to take his hand. He felt heat rush to his face immediately.
"I-um-it really...wasn't trouble..."
"This must be your friend." Alex said his eyes studying Symon who stood a few feet behind them. "He's...attractive. What's his name?"
"Symon." Symon replied cheerily ignoring Alex's if gaze.
"We've heard your cat is named Symon, did you name it after him?" Audrey asked leading the way in.
"Y-yes! That's it. Me and Sy go back a long time, I moved you know? And when I saw that cat I just thought of him." Val lied almost seamlessly. Emphasis on 'almost.' Symon gave him a discreet look of disappointment and he returned it with a glare.
"How cute." Audrey cooed just as they arrived in a large living room where the party was bring held. "Help yourself to anything you want. I could get you a drink or..."
"No I'm good." He said. He suddenly felt anxious, there were too many people he didn't feel familiar with, no Katie or Bridget around so he suddenly felt exposed. Instinctively he edged closer to Symon earning cold looks from both twins.
"If anyone needs me I'll be getting punch or whatever is available." Symon grinned before leaving into the sea of bodies. Val tried to go after him but was immediately grabbed by Audrey.
"Let's dance."
His protests were drowned out as a very loud song came up.
Before an hour was up Val was already sick of dancing with Audrey. She was pretty and all but he soon grew tired by how quickly she spoke and how frequently she asked questions.
If he wasn't careful there were a ton of things he would have already let slip. Soon his eyes were glued to Alex who was having a drink with others on a long sofa.
He managed to slip away from the awkward conversation with Audrey and her squad before moving over to Alex.
The other boy saw him approaching and quickly said something to the others. They left just as Val arrived.
"Don't tell me I scared them off." He tried at a joke.
"Don't be silly, I told them to leave." He said patting the seat beside him, "I want to talk privately." He added softly.
"I hope I don't make things akward then." Val swallowed thickly before sitting with obvious stiffness.
Alex handed him a drink, "Audrey must have talked you out, drink up and relax, I won't bite...unless you want me too."
That last part was said so quietly Val nearly choked, he definitely didn't hear that correctly, but on turning to see the other's reaction the piercing look in those grey eyes said something else.
"You heard me right." Alex didn't hesitate.
"There must be a mistake, Alex I don't-"
"I'll stop you right there, you're terrible at lying so it'll only make you look more adorable so try to answer me honestly." He leaned in closer but they were still a respectable distance away from each other. "All those times were you really looking at my sister, or me?"
So he noticed? The mere thought was enough to make Val flush with embarrassment. He definitely couldn't answer and say 'yes' right? That would seem wierd.
Fortunately for him Audrey came and drew her brother's attention, "We need more snacks. I got them out first so now it's your turn."
Alex rose with no complaints, "Val can you help me out?"
"You can get it out yourself, come on Val let's dance some more."
Val did a mental comparison between the two tasks and quickly made a choice. He could not take anymore Audrey that night. "I'll be back after I lend Alex a hand. Oh and can you please help me find Symon, tell him where I am and that I need to talk to him." He said giving a promising smile.
"Don't keep me waiting." She said before walking off.
Val sped past Alex into the kitchen, he was anxious to get things over now, coming over was a terrible idea. As soon as he found Symon they would concoct some believable story then leave.
"So where are the snacks?" He asked pulling open a random drawer. "Alex can you please say-" the feeling of a hand stroking down his neck caught his attention. He turned around to find himself face to face with the other boy. Their bodies were mere inches apart and Alex was still moving closer.
Val could almost hear his own heartbeat quicken the quiet room. He dearly hoped Alex could not. The universe should have been done embarrassing him by now.
"You haven't answered my question?" Alex said softly still smirking.
"I...can't answer..." Val sighed pathetically looking around for a means to escape. "Alex, listen I..." His protest was cut off as Alex pulled him into a soft kiss which left his mind blank for a few seconds. He felt the blood rush to his cheeks as Alex continued and didn't pull away.
Val hopefully took that as a good sign and despite his nervousness relaxed into it and wrapped him hand around the other boy. He felt Alex's hands moving down his chest and caressing his muscles making him feel so warm and tingly.
"You can touch me too." Alex murmured into their kissed which was slowly growing more heated by the second.
Val grinned shyly actually about to take him up on that when the door to the kitchen was swung open only for Symon to breeze in. Without sparing their position a second glance he walked up to Val, "We need to leave now."
"As you can see, Val's a bit occupied." Alex said before Val could say anything.
Symon glared, the way he looked like he was about to scratch someone's face off gave Val the impression this had to be important. He took one of Alex's hands in his, "Sorry, Alex it has to be very important. We have to go."
"So you're leaving me just like that?"
"Alex no, I'll call you, maybe we can meet up later."
Alex gave a nod that seemed pretty much forced before he turned to Symon again, "Did you see my sister? She went looking for you?"
"She should be around here somewhere." Symon shrugged, dragging a very reluctant Val to the doorway. Once they were out of earshot Val rounded on Symon with a very annoyed look.
"What the bloody hell was that about?"
"Brighten up kid I was just trying to save your life."
Val stared at him with disbelief, "Really? From what? An amazing make out with my crush?"
"No you idiot, those two are Hunters."