**_Finnian_**

I suppose it’s alright, no, not alright—normal’s the right word—for me to feel…disconnected at a local high society gathering such as this.

The many aristocrats are dressed in their finest clothing: lords and their ladies, dukes and duchesses. I think the Dean of Magickal Affairs is here too. I’m nowhere near the center of attention. Just a minor lord’s son with hardly any money to keep him going. It’s fine. I prefer the company of animals than to people anyways.

More predictable.

I sip on my water a bit, hoping for something—anything really—to go wrong so that I may make a quick escape. Just then, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I spin quickly, splashing some water on my vest before cursing as the cold water seeped through my layers of clothing.

“I beg your par—“ I freeze. Ah, my night just had to get worse.

The bronze haired man gave me a charming smile. “I’m sorry there, Finnian, just wanted to chat a few.” He reached into his vest pocket and handed me his handkerchief. “Here you are.”

I don’t take it from his hands, but instead stare at him with a blank glare. His hands slowly lower and he stuffs his handkerchief back into his pocket.

“Why would I want to talk to you, Augustine?” I hiss.

Augustine gives me a sad smile, somehow giving himself the look of an innocent. The party around us carries on, oblivious to the rising cloud of hate above me. “Come on, Finnian, it’s been years.”

“Whether days, months, years, or decades, I will never forgive you,” I turn away from him and head towards the only doors that aren’t blocked by people. He doesn’t stop me, so I continue on, silently proud of myself for handling the situation perfectly.

A hand pulls me back when I finally make it outside, though, pulling me towards a hidden corner. The hand pushes me against the wall and holds me there. Now, as a man who doesn’t usually find himself in the presence of weights and athletic activities, I really have no way to defend myself handling someone such as Augustine. So I did the best decision and loosened my body in surrender.

Augustine’s face was red, he looked skittish, as if he was regretting doing this. He would regret it if people found us in this position; there would be rumors. I wouldn’t have to deal with it as much because, as I said before, I’m not a well known face in London. Augustine, on the other hand, is quite the opposite.

“Let go of me,” I reach for his hand to take it off my still drying chest. Augustine grabs it though and pins it to the wall, causing him to lean forward. Our foreheads touching.

Now this is borderline scandalous for _him_.

“Finnian,” his breath his warm against my face, fogging my glasses, smelling like orange and cream—cheesecake, maybe? “I’m sorry.”

I close my eyes and turn my head, disconnecting the warming feeling of my skin. “You could have done that years ago. It’s too late now.” I tug my wrist against his grip. “Now let me go before someone see us.”

Augustine does the exact opposite. Glad to see that he hasn’t changed at all since university.

“Finnian!” His voice cracks and that has me turning to him. “I-I want to try again. At least let me be your friend. I’ll be fine as such.”

I dart my eyes away. “I don’t believe you,” I tug against his hold even harder now, but he’s still tight on, “God! Leave me be will you Augustine?!”

His eyes blank out. I flinch as his grip tightens even more. “A-Augustine? Hey!”

“No one would miss you.”

I freeze in my struggle. “What?” I breath.

“No one would remember you if you were to suddenly disappear,” he continues, face going closer and closer to mine, “Your father’s near death, your mother is already dead, you have no other siblings, no money, no friends, nothing. It’ll be like you never existed,” he smiled, “No one would see you but me.”

His sudden shift into this mood scares me. “What the hell are you saying?” I thrash in his grip, all my instincts on. “Let. Me. GO!”

I grunt and kick at his legs as his breath turns shaky. “I’m so sorry, Finnian, but I really can’t live without you.”

Then he lets go of my wrists and I fall to the ground. I quickly shuffle to my feet to run, but a foot kicks me in the back and forces me back down. Augustine’s hand pulls my head off the ground by my hair and brings a cloth to my face.

“HELP ME! MHH—“

My body jerks as the awful, clinical scent floods my nose. After mere seconds, my eyes droop and my body turns to dough, my movements sluggish.

“It’s alright, Finnian. I’ll take good care of you.” Augustine lifts up my weak, limp body and cradles me in his large arms. His blue eyes look bright between my half-closed lids. Alive and hopeful.

“No…leave…me…alone.” I close my eyes and groan.

“It’s alright,” he repeats. I feel my body shake as he starts walking to somewhere. “You’ll always be alright with me.”

***

_(Random story cause yn? I love obsessed stories likes this because—mental issues!_

_Thanks for reading and have a great day!)_