bombyx_mori | 10 years later, SH flavored

10 years later, SH flavored

[It's 10 years later- Everyone is ten years older, and hopefully ten years wiser, too. Or at least five years wiser! Even one year's worth of wisdom is good, really. Things have changed, okay.

Things have changed a lot, and it only becomes more obvious with everyone back at Hogwarts for a visit. It's a time to reminisce, to remember, and to reconnect.

Or, you know, to go about life as usual. ]

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[Murdoc is always happy to see the younger Striders. They've grown up to be fine men and Murdoc can't help but be a little proud of them, even if he can't take much of the credit for them. He's stuck with Bro this long, he may as well take a more solid part in his life. Of course, that makes it sounds like he's suffered. He really hasn't. He's still heaad over heels for the other man and he's as attractive as he ever was, he's kept his youth so well it's actually hard to tell he and his oldest son apart at times.

Which isn't to say Murdoc has become senile in any sense! He's sure anyone would make the same mistakes he does! Maybe not this particular one, though.

He's still a teacher at the school, so he's still got plenty of reason to peruse the library for lesson plans and personal interest, particularly the restricted section. However, he doesn't expect to see Bro there. Generally Bro is only in this section if he wants to hook up. Which Murdoc is perfectly okay with.]

You sly dog. [He mumbles, reaching over to grab a handful of that plush Strider ass.]

[Dirk's gotten used to being mistaken for his Bro. Usually he encourages the mistakes, and occasionally he'll even see how long it takes for people to realize that they're talking to the wrong Strider.

There are a couple cases where he doesn't- Dave, for one, is always able to tell them apart. And he doesn't usually try to do it with 'family,' even if they can't tell him apart from Bro.

The problem is, Dirk isn't expecting this at all. He was absorbed in one of the books, to the point where he didn't notice Murdoc approaching. He flinches and actually squeaks in surprise at the hand on his ass. When he glances over at Murdoc, there's a blush creeping across his face. He's tongue-tied, to say the least.]

Oh. Uh, hi.

[Surely that's enough of a reaction for Murdoc to realize who it is, right?]

[See, with all your fooling around you're just trying to confuse the poor old guy. Ain't nobody got time to check which is which.

Generally he CAN tell them apart, but he's stupid in that he likes to squeeze before he thinks carefully. Why would Dirk be at school anyway, gosh!

The squeak gets a smirk and another squeeze out of Murdoc but it sounds a little....off. The apprehension creeps over him slowly as Dirk glances over at him and he rips his hand away like he just squeezed a hot stove top.]

Dirk-! [Fuuuuuck ho do you even explain...] I didn't.. [He's going bright red right now.] I didn't...think it was you. [The weakest of smiles.] Didn't think you were back at all.

[Ain't nobody, meaning Murdoc. Dirk isn't going to put much energy into thinking about why Murdoc mistook him for Bro, in that fashion, in the middle of a library. There are lots of things he doesn't want to know about what goes on between his father and Murdoc, and that is one of them.

Instead, he just steps away as soon as Murdoc's hand is off him. Murdoc is not the only one who's bright red.]

I just got here today. It's an... understandable mistake. [Oh god can they put this behind them, this has got to be the most awkward interaction they've ever had. It would probably even rank above walking in on Murdoc and Bro.] I suppose that means Bro's around here somewhere?

[If Dirk wants to attempt to bring logic into this, he should at least consider that Murdoc probably hadn't expected him to be at school! Bro is normally here! And really, maybe you should consider dressing differently! Gosh.

Murdoc is now going to wring his hands, as if punishing them for getting all up on his boyfriend's son's rump.]

Glad you agree. [He gives an awkward sort of shrug.] Yes. He's quite often around. [Here in particular...]

[If Dirk knew that Bro was usually here for hookups, he would be unsurprised but mortified to learn that he was here all the time. And he does so dress differently! Sometimes. On days not today.

... He is going to be taking the longest shower tonight. And for now, he'll just clear his throat awkwardly, and heft the tome he was looking through.]

Somehow, I don't think he was researching the things I'm here for.

[What else are they meant to use the restricted section for? Murdoc has a fondness for combining his adoration for books and bro into one intense library visit. Somehow, nobody has caught them yet.

Murdoc is quietly wondering whether he should explain this to Bro or not. It would be ugly if he were to find out withough being told..Ugh.]

Well that's because he's generally here to.. [Fuck. He feels himself going pink again. This is so awkward why is he even trying.] Keep. Me company. And he's been known to dabble in his own research from time to time.

[Dirk is very much fine with pretending this never happened, so that Bro doesn't have to find out about it. He also may or may not be planning on steering clear of Murdoc during any events that involve a lot of alcohol.

Dirk shrugs and hefts the book he was reading- it's got "Magic of Israel" written on the cover.]

Still doubt he was looking up this.

You never know. [He shrugs quickly, as if he's being just a little defensive about it.] He is a language professor, after all.

[He rubs his neck, shuffling awkwardly.] I'm sorry.

For the language, but not for the magic. There are Hebrew legends of golems, you know. Magical constructs you could give orders to on a slip of paper stuck into their mouths. I'm trying to find the spells for those, and modify them- they could get plenty more complicated before the magic gets too impossible to do without a month and approximately five tons of ingredients. I just need to figure out the variety in the casting before I start making modifications of my own, in order to minimize fuckups.

[Oops. Someone is maybe enthusiastic about their research.

He doesn't manage to avoid flushing when Murdoc apologizes.]

I've been mistaken for him before.

Fascinating.

[Murdoc is just going to nod along as Dirk speaks. It sounds utterly fascinating, and he'd certainly like to pick Dirk's brain over it later, maybe even share ideas over it. Right now? The words 'I groped my son in law' are just repeating in his brain over and over again.

He's giving him a wide eyed stare, obviously crumbling under the awkward pressure that is social faux pas.]

You take after him. [Nod nod.] Practically identical.

[The awkwardness will never disappear because they are both awkward as a state of being, even when they try not to be. Hopefully they can eventually forget about it.

Hopefully.]

I'll send a letter ahead next time I visit, to spare the school the confusion.

[And he'll dress differently. At least the 'part veela' bit isn't getting to Murdoc.]

[Murdoc is starting to think this is going to be so very hard to work past. Also to explain to Bro. God, he's so mad at himself, he'll never live this down. No amount of sad whale emotes will win back either of their affections, he's forever ruined. Which is clear in his gradually forming expression of devastation.]

I'm sure we'd both appreciate it. [He gives him a pained smile. It's possible Dirk's veela side guided his hand to the booty, but he isn't inclined to try blaming it on anything. He doesn't want to look like he's making excuses, after all!]

[Yeah, that expression... isn't exactly something he should keep ignoring. So he tucks the book in his hand under one arm, to keep himself from fiddling with it.]

Uh. Professor?

[The things he will do to make Murdoc stop looking like a kicked puppy.]

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10 years later, SH flavored

casually sets this somewhere specific because I misread

fine with me!

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