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“She’s staring again, isn’t she?”
It was the 1st of December, and Charlie was working with Adrian and a couple of other keepers to hang decorations outside the common areas of the reserve. It was a tradition that had been going on longer than he had been there, and it was one he enjoyed doing as it transformed the reserve into a festive paradise.
Adrian was one of the newer keepers on the reserve and was helping Charlie in what had become a tradition for the two of them ever since his first Christmas. They were both on ladders hanging fairy lights on the entrance to the reserve. Since Adrian was on the outside looking in, he looked over Charlie’s shoulder. “Yes.”
Charlie sighed, “I wish she would stop; she’s not my type.”
“You know that. I’m pretty sure the whole reserve does. But, hell, I’ve only been here a couple of years, and even I know that,” Adrian murmured back.
The two of them fell silent as they continued to work, and after a few minutes, Adrian spoke up, “She finally left.”
“About time,” Charlie muttered.
“We need something to deter her.”
“But what?”
Adrian fell silent as he thought it over. “I’m not sure, but we’ll think of something.”
The duo finished decorating the entrance before moving on to the medical building.
In a turn of events, they didn’t have to think of anything as she provided the opportunity herself on Christmas Eve.
A box was shoved in Charlie’s face. “I made these.”
He eyed the box warily before taking it from her outstretched hands. “Thanks,” Charlie said, but to Adrian’s ears, it sounded more like a question.
“Here, Adrian.” She shoved another box at the younger wizard.
When she didn’t move, both wizards opened their boxes.
Inside was a combination of different baked goods, from mince pies to Jammy Dodgers to Brandy Snaps.
“Oh wow,” Adrian said. “You made all of these?”
She preened. “I did!”
“The brandy snaps are my favourite,” Charlie murmured.
“I know.”
Charlie watched as Adrian picked one up and took a bite; when nothing happened, he reached for the one on top of the snap pile.
“They’re tasty,” Adrian complimented before finishing the treat off.
After Adrian ate one, Charlie took a bite, feeling confident that nothing would happen. Brandy, cream, and ginger burst across Charlie’s tongue, bringing back memories of care packages from Tonks’s mum during his Hogwarts days. While he was surprised by the addition of sea salt to the filling, it actually enhanced the other flavours.
“I agree with Adrian; they are good. Thank you, Lacy.”
“Yes, thank you,” Adrian added.
A confused look passed over her face before she schooled her facial features into a bright smile. “You’re both welcome.”
She turned and made her way over to where her presents lay waiting for her, and neither wizard missed the slumping of her shoulders.
“Did yours have salt in the filling?” Charlie asked as he held up the half-eaten dessert.
Adrian shook his head. “No.”
“There has to be something in these, then,” Charlie said. “I’ve never had snaps that have salt in the filling.”
“Want me to taste it?” Adrian offered.
Charlie shook his head. “No, I don’t know what it is, so I don’t want you to take the risk either. I’m going to set these aside and see if Stewart can test them since he’ll have the ingredients in the lab.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Adrian agreed as he set his own box of treats to the side. Then, he held out a package to Charlie. “Here, this is for you.”
“Thank you,” Charlie said as he reached for the present. As his hand brushed against Adrian’s, Charlie felt warmth race through him from where their fingers touched.
He willed the blush away that he could feel heating his cheeks from the images flashing through his mind. From the moment Adrian had stepped onto the reserve, Charlie had felt a pull toward the other wizard. He was brilliant, an incredibly quick learner, had a wicked sense of humour, and he was one of the nicest people Charlie knew.
A hand rested on his shoulder. “Charlie?”
Shaking his head, Charlie turned to Adrian. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” He smiled and nodded at the gift in Charlie’s hands. “Open it.”
Charlie returned Adrian’s smile before tearing into the wrapping. As he opened the cover, he tried to put a lid back on his feelings for his friend, but what he saw inside threw that lid away.
Laying within the layers of tissue paper was a brand-new set of dragonhide gloves. Charlie didn’t even need to look at the tag to know that Adrian had chosen a pair of the best gloves money could buy. They were made from sustainably sourced materials, and a portion of each pair sold went to reserves like theirs.
“Adrian,” Charlie murmured. “How?”
“I pay attention, you know that,” Adrian teased.
Charlie chuckled as he wrapped an arm around Adrian’s shoulders. “Thank you. These will definitely be put to good use.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Before Charlie could nudge Adrian to open his present, the sound of rustling leaves above them caught his attention. Looking up, Charlie saw a small bunch of mistletoe floating above the two of them.
This time he couldn’t hide the blush staining his cheeks. Then, at Adrian’s questioning look, he pointed up.
“Oh,” Adrian breathed.
“Oh, indeed,” Charlie agreed.
Adrian sent him a lopsided smile. “I’m game if you are.”
Not looking a gift Hippogriff in the mouth, Charlie leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss against Adrian’s lips.
As Charlie pulled back, Adrian followed him to place his own kiss against Charlie’s lips.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself,” Adrian said sheepishly as he pulled back.
“Don’t apologise. I’ve wanted to do this for a while.”
“Me too.”
“Good. Now, open mine.”
As Charlie waited for Adrian to open his gift, he looked at where he had last seen Lacy. The witch was nowhere to be seen.
Days later, she was gone from the reserve permanently as a love potion had been found in the brandy snaps she had made for Charlie. When Charlie found out what potion had been used, he laughed.
Adrian asked him why he was laughing, and he explained that after Ron accidentally ingested the potion in chocolates meant for Harry, Fred and George altered the recipe for First Love Beguiling Bubbles so that it wouldn’t have the desired effect on any Weasley.
Later that night, Adrian and Charlie enjoyed ringing in the new year with their coworkers. The twinkling lights on the Christmas tree lighting the room.