The front door stood wide open, as it often did, and cooking smells wafted out into the hall. A small cauldron hovered to the side of the entry, full of holiday candies, with a little hand-written sign saying
‘Happy Holidays! Help yourself!’ The candy was only Honeydukes best of course; Nathan was a loyal customer. Inside, the small apartment was brightly lit, tidy but cluttered. One room encompassed the lounge and dining area, with a small kitchen tucked away to one side. A door opposite the kitchen led to a short hall, down which could be found a tiny bathroom and his bedroom. Nathan hadn’t really upgraded his furniture since he moved in almost ten years ago, so it was still the cheap but serviceable stuff of student living.
An old, beaten down couch was made comfortable with many mismatched pillows and blankets. A large and colourfully patterned rug brightened up the centre of the floor. The dining table was looking worse for wear, the inferior wood was scratched and slightly wonky, but it served its function well enough. Unexpected colours were etched randomly in its surface, where paint or crayon had gotten stuck into cracks. A jumble of candles, papers and a tin of biscuits were piled up in one corner. Of the six chairs surrounding the table, only two matched. Along one wall a large sagging bookshelf boasted an eclectic assortment of healing textbooks, spell books and children's stories. Several packs of cards and a hodgepodge of board games, both Muggle and magical, filled out the lowest shelf.
Photographs of smiling, waving people looked down from the walls. They were friends, colleagues, acquaintances – and family. There were photos of Nathan with his dad; Nathan with his mum, stepdad, two young brothers and sister and even Nathan with his grandparents. One non-moving Muggle portrait of his Nan held prominent position. Thank you notes and cards were pinned to the sides of the bookshelf. Drawings, paintings, pottery and other artworks clearly made by tiny hands were displayed casually around the room. Scattered children's toys were tucked into corners. Various greenery and potted plants filled in the remaining gaps and the window sills. For all that it looked something like a mashup of a children’s playroom, a greenhouse and a yard-sale, Nathan’s apartment matched its owner: warm and inviting – yet undeniably
shabby.
Nathan knew that his home was no palace and he himself no prince. Lacking as he did any talent, influence or wealth, the trainee Mediwizard didn’t see what he could offer anyone – especially a wizard like
@Edouard Pontmerci. Yet the other man had not only convinced Nathan that there had been nothing untoward about how their relationship had formed but that they should continue to see each other. The last few months with Ed had been like something out of a dream. Nathan could scarce believe how lucky he was and half expected the Quidditch trainer would wake up from a concussion one day and realise he could do a lot better. Still, until such a day came, Nathan was going to give his beau everything he could.
The knife in his hand moved steadily as he cut an apple into thin slices. Undoubtedly the task could’ve been completed a lot quicker with the use of magic but Nathan enjoyed doing things the Muggle way, as his father had taught him. There was something more satisfying about doing things with his hands. He laid the apple slices in a pastry lined dish before pouring in a mix of custard, sugar and cinnamon. After covering the prepped apple tart, Nathan turned his attention to the already occupied oven. A whole chicken, along with a mix of chopped potato, sweet potato, carrot and pumpkin, was roasting nicely and well on its way to developing a nice crispiness. Nathan wasn't a gourmet cook, he certainly knew better than to attempt anything too complex, but he could make hearty, staple meals well enough – simple but tasty fare.
A glance at the clock startled him into action.
Ed would be here any minute! Nathan was glad that he’d had the foresight to shower earlier and still smelled faintly of soap. Yet even under his apron, the shirt he’d been wearing in the kitchen was mussed with flour and other cooking stains. Ed had surely figured out by now that scruffy was Nathan's default setting but still, he wanted to be at least a little more presentable when Ed arrived. Dashing into the hallway to his bedroom, Nathan hastily pulled his shirt over his head and tossed into a basket in the bathroom as he passed. A light ‘knocking’ sound from front door caused him to freeze awkwardly, shirtless and just inside his bedroom. “Just a minute!” He called out breathlessly as he scrambled to find the shirt he had put aside for the evening. It only took seconds but it felt like an eternity before he laid his hands on the long-sleeved silver dress shirt he had gone to great lengths to unwrinkle. Pulling it on in a rush, fingers fumbled on the buttons as he hastened to greet his guest.
There he was – a handsome figure standing in the doorway. Striding forward, Nathan embraced him eagerly; arms wrapping around to pull Edouard into a kiss. Finally, pulling away with a grin on his face, Nathan clarified with words what he’d already said with his body, “It’s good to see you.” After a moments pause, Nathan closed the front door. It generally stayed open more often than not, but he thought Ed might appreciate the privacy. No doubt the neighbours had already been gawking at the Frenchman as he arrived. They all wanted to know more about the man who’d been stealing so much of Nathan’s time and attention. But he didn’t think Ed was ready to be subjected to that yet, nor meeting Nathan’s blood family. He knew that family was a somewhat difficult issue for Edouard.
"You look great." Nathan commented while passing an admiring eye over his partner. Ed always looked a lot more put-together than Nathan did. There was an inherent class about him; an elegance and refinement that Nathan severely lacked.
It probably helps not wear jeans with tears over the knees, Nathan mused wryly. He looked down at his own shirt, which was one of his best – no holes or anything! – and cringed. In his haste he had misbuttoned it so it now hung awkwardly on his frame. He ran a hand over his messy hair and laughed, "I tried. I promise I tried." Nathan hoped that Ed wouldn't be too disappointed in him. However, there were always other ways to make it up to him. Hazel eyes strayed to the kitchen counter and a small wrapped box near the edge – a Christmas present for Ed.
Not yet. Nathan was both excited and nervous about presenting the gift. But now was not the time, Ed had only just arrived. “Make yourself at home.” He gestured openly to the apartment.
